Smoke Detectors Saved Family & Fire Sprinklers Saved House in Saint Paul Fire

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Smoke detectors and fire sprinklers helped save the lives and the home of eight people living in the duplex at 971 Selby Ave. early this morning. As 1:13am, Saint Paul Firefighters were called to the duplex and arrived from Fire Station No. 5 just two blocks away to find the entire back outside of the two-story duplex dwelling on fire. The residents, who had been alerted by their smoke detectors, had safely escaped the fire that was raging up the outside of the house. Firefighters at the single-alarm fire were able to stop the fire from spreading into the attic where it would have done much more damage.

The dwelling was protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system which was critical in the safe escape of the occupants and protection of the home. Two sprinkler heads went off, keeping the fire from spreading into the house through the back door and windows, giving the residents more time to escape safely through the front door.

Nationally, 80% of fire deaths occur in the home. In Saint Paul, that figure rises to 100%. With the required number of working smoke alarms in your home, you increase the chances of surviving a fire to 47%. Add fire sprinklers and your chances of surviving a fire are rise to 97%. Fire sprinklers are the best built-in fire protection you can have. All the nation's latest model fire and building codes require fire sprinklers to be installed in all new housing.

Here are some safety tips:

• Install smoke detectors outside and inside each bedroom and on each level of the home.#
• Test them at least monthly.
• Install detectors that have the 10-year batteries, or replace the batteries annually.
• If you're building a new home, include a life-saving fire sprinkler system. For more information about residential fire sprinklers, go to the Residential Fire Safety Institute at http://www.firesafehome.org/about-residential-fire-sprinkler-systems/

No one was injured in this fire. Damage is estimated at $50,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross provided temporary housing for four of the victims.



Author:Saint Paul Fire Department Press Release