Albany Fire Department Responds to House Fire, One Pet Succumbs to Injuries

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The Albany Fire Department responded to 4199 Somerset DR NE at approximately 9:53 a.m. yesterday, June 27, 2011, to a reported structure fire reported by a 911 call. Firefighters arrived at the scene in about two minutes to find a one-story, single-family home with smoke coming from the roof vents and the kitchen involved with fire.

Quick work by fire fighters allowed them to confine the fire to the kitchen and the attic above it; and, they were able to bring the fire under control in approximately twenty minutes. Overall suppression operations lasted approximately one hour as fire fighters verified there was no hidden fire in the walls and ceiling; however, two firefighters are remaining on scene as a precaution due to the extensive fire damage.

The fire was reported by a neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home and called 911. The tenant, Ruth Anne Clark, was not home at the time of the fire and arrived at the scene as fire fighters were completing fire fighting operations. The kitchen area and the attic above it suffered significant fire damage, while heavy smoke and heat damage occurred throughout the home. The extensive damage left the building unable to be occupied and Ms. Clark is being assisted by relatives.

Eighteen Fire Department personnel responded to this emergency call; however, six were diverted to a two-car motor vehicle accident with injuries that occurred at 14th Ave SE and Waverly DR SE at about the same time. Two persons were evaluated and transported to the hospital from that call. The Albany Police Department also responded and assisted at these calls.

The Lebanon Rural Fire District responded a Medic Unit to handle a third emergency call in the city that occurred early on during this fire, while off duty Albany Fire Fighters responded to the city and staffed two fire engines to handle subsequent emergency calls.

The cause of this fire is under investigation and the dollar loss has not been determined. The tenant and the building owner are insured. There were no injuries to persons reported as a result of this incident; however, a pet cat was found inside the home that had unfortunately succumbed to injuries as a result of the fire.

The latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show residential fires are the leading cause of deaths, injury, & property loss from fires in the United States. The Albany Fire Department strongly encourages everyone to verify they have working smoke detectors in their home and to regularly practice their emergency escape plan. You can get more information on emergency escape planning at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/escapeplans/index.shtm.



Author:Albany Fire Department Press Release