News

Kitchen fire with extension to 2nd floor - 50 W. South St., Smyrna
Thursday, February 14, 2013

At 1939 the CHC along with Amb. 64 was dispatched for a reported house fire at the above location. E44-2 under command of 44-15(Hankins) responded within minutes. While en-route Kent Center advised that a fire was reported in the kitchen with it beginning to spread into the rest of the house. Upon arrival 44-15 found light smoke showing. Crews pulled a 1 1/2" attack line to the front door and into the residence. Crews found heavy fire in the kitchen area walking across the ceiling into the living room area. 44-17(Jarrell) was assigned interior officer. While the crew from 44-2 began to attack the fire, the crew from Ladder 44 split up and set the ladder for possible ventilation operations, and the second half pulled a second handline to the rear of the structure. Upon arrival of E44-3 a supply line was laid to 44-2. The crew from 44-3 and R44 was directed for second floor operations to check for extension and perform searches. During this time crews also secured all utilities to the house. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked down crews performed both a primary and secondary search and both were negative. While performing overhaul crews found some minor extension into a second floor bathroom above the room of origin. The crews pulled the walls and floors in the bathroom and quickly extinguished the small amount of fire that had extended up the pipe chase and the baloon construction walls. The house was fully ventilated intially with natural ventilation, and once all the fire was extinguished a positive pressure fan was used for further ventilation. 44-15 placed the scene under control at 2006 with all units working. Units remained on scene for about another 45 mintues assisting FM 28 with his investigation and performing overhaul. The home sustained heavy fire damage to the kitchen area, and damage to the 2nd floor bathroom walls from the extension. The rest of the house sustained moderate smoke damage. The home was occupied at the time of the fire by 11 residents. One resident was evaluated by Amb. 64 & KM 6 for difficulty breathing due to asthma exacerbation from possible smoke inhalation. The pt was treated at the scene by EMS, and the pts mother refused transport for the child. The family of 2 adults and 9 children was assisted by the American Red Cross. All 44 units were in quarters at 2120. Units responding: E44-2, L44, E44-3, R44, 44-10, A-64, KM-6, FM 28, SPD, Town of Smyrna Electric & Water, Chesapeake Utilities, and American Red Cross. Units were in service for 1 hour 41 minutes, and the CHC had 52 members respond to assist. OIC was Fire Chief Isaac J. Hankins(44-15) Thank you to Sta. 45 for providing dual response coverage while 44 units were working at the fire scene.