17/November/2013 – Structure Fire – “B” Shift

Incident 13-06290 - Firefighters saved a home from being destroyed Sunday evening 17-November at 58 Cross Court. A neighbor notified 9-1-1 of smoke coming from the house at 23:18. When Firefighters arrived 5 minutes later, flames were shooting out of two windows at the rear of the residence. Heavy black smoke was visible throughout the structure. Due to previous medical responses to the location, crews knew an elderly woman resided there. Firefighters deployed two 1-3/4 handlines to the building and made entry through a side door. They encountered severe heat conditions but continued to search the home in near zero visibility. Crews located the fire in the rear three rooms of the home. They were able to contain the fire to those rooms and had the fire under control within 15 minutes. Several doors inside the home were closed, which help prevent the spread of the fire through the house. Flames did extend into the attic at the rear of the structure, but were stopped before they spread to other areas. The residence suffered heat and smoke damage, but most items in the remaining areas were saved. Two of the three rooms at the rear suffered extensive damage. There was no one home when the fire occurred. It was later determined the resident recently passed away. The utilities had been shut off several months prior.

The cause of the fire was determined to be suspicious in origin, so SLED’s Arson Unit and the Sheriff’s Office were contacted to assist with the investigation. Fire units remained on scene through the morning and Fire Investigators were working with Law Enforcement Officers Monday morning.  

Engine 19, Engine 24, Tender 1, Tender 19, Tender 26, Tender 27, Medic 1, Medic 19, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic (Acting Battalion Chief) Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.