CCFR December 13 2009

Stations 5, 7, 17, 18, 19, 23 and 26 responded to a house fire at 2031 Sunrise Road east of Smoaks at 0427, Sunday morning 13-Dec. The homeowner stated she was awakened by fire in her bedroom. She alerted the seven other family members in the home, including four children. Everyone was able to exit the structure safely. The elderly woman attempted to extinguish the fire while a family member ran down the road to a neighbor’s house to notify 9-1-1. Engine 7 arrived within minutes of the alarm, to find the approximately 70 year old single story, wood frame dwelling completely involved in flames. There was little to be saved. A second alarm was issued for additional tenders to handle the water supply needs of the large fire.

Engine 7 deployed three 1-3/4 handlines to combat the fire, but the roof collapsed shortly after their arrival. Firefighter-Paramedics, moved the entire family into Medic 19 to get them out of the cold rainy weather. Three people were examined for minor injuries, including the woman who attempted to fight the fire. She received minor burns, but did not require transportation to the hospital. Several of the family members escaped with only the clothing they were sleeping in. Firefighters obtained food for the family from a local restaurant, which they ate while in Medic 19 awaiting on the Red Cross to arrive. The

	Stations 5, 7, 17, 18, 19, 23 and 26 responded to a house fire at 2031 Sunrise Road east of Smoaks at 0427, Sunday morning 13-Dec. The homeowner stated she was awakened by fire in her bedroom. She alerted the seven other family members in the home, including four children. Everyone was able to exit the structure safely. The elderly woman attempted to extinguish the fire while a family member ran down the road to a neighbor’s house to notify 9-1-1. Engine 7 arrived within minutes of the alarm, to find the approximately 70 year old single story, wood frame dwelling completely involved in flames. There was little to be saved. A second alarm was issued for additional tenders to handle the water supply needs of the large fire. Engine 7 deployed three 1-3/4 handlines to combat the fire, but the roof collapsed shortly after their arrival. Firefighter-Paramedics, moved the entire family into Medic 19 to get them out of the cold rainy weather. Three people were examined for minor injuries, including the woman who attempted to fight the fire. She received minor burns, but did not require transportation to the hospital. Several of the family members escaped with only the clothing they were sleeping in. Firefighters obtained food for the family from a local restaurant, which they ate while in Medic 19 awaiting on the Red Cross to arrive. The
	Charleston Chapter of the Red Cross was notified and responded to the scene. They are assisting the family. Investigators have determined the fire started from an overheated extension cord which was powering a space heater in the bedroom. The electrical cord was under a bed, covered with books and clothing. The home had no working smoke detectors. Firefighters remained on the scene for 5 hours. Engine 7, Engine 18, Tender 5, Tender 7, Tender 17, Tender 18, Tender 26, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Truck 11 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Sanders served as Incident Commander.