What if YOUR Home Caught Fire?
My daughter was at work and my son-in-law was running errands. When he returned, he heard the smoke alarm inside and was met with fire and a house full of smoke which would turn into a two-alarm blaze that could be seen for five miles away. The Greenville (OH) Fire Department did a fantastic knock-down and, aided by departments from New Madison, Union City, and Ansonia, were able to save over half of the house. But even with the heroic effort, most of the contents were destroyed or too heavily damaged to be salvaged.
Most people don't realize what happens in a fire... As you look at these photos, please take a moment and think about installing smoke detectors and how you can make your home more fire-safe.
Recently remodled kitchen. The cabinet on the left contained antique glassware, some that was handed down from generations.
The fire started behind a spare refrigerator in a remodeled room. The refrigerator was located to the left of the washer (in the right of the photo). The burn pattern on the wall next to the washer indicates that fire originated near the floor.
The main electrical panel is in the left of the photo. Note the hole burned through the back of the enclosure. The intense heat melted the plastic components, resulting in an electrical arc. This created a second ignition source.
Rear view of the refrigerator which caused the fire. It was taken outside during firefighting operations.
Another view of the kitchen. Prior to Christmas '06 it had been remodled.
Both the fire department and and independent forensic investigators determined that this was the origin of the fire. It is a motor overload unit, mounted on the refrigeration compressor. Ironically, its purpose was to keep the compressor from overheating in case of an overload. However, due to the unit being manufactured with a plastic cover, it ignited when the overload unit itself malfunctioned.
Members of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) stand by in front of my daughter's house. The team does not actively participate in firefighting operations; their responsibility is rescue of trapped personnel inside the structure.
A news helicopter circled overhead.
The intense heat burned out the top of a door.
Rear view of home (back porch). The propane tank of the BBQ had been left on; the regulator melted from the heat and caused a leak.
The fire has extended from the back porch into the roof area above the kitchen.
Looking into kitchen from dining room.
Living room. This is the room farthest from the fire on the first floor.
Even though these cabinets were near the floor, they were still damaged.
A spare room. Note how the the smoke clung to certain places on the wall. These areas had wood behind them which absorbed heat, making that area of the wall cooler.
Study/office. Note the burn pattern at the top of the door.
Smoke pattern.
Street view. The windows have been removed to reduce the extreme heat and clear out the smoke so firefighters can attack the blaze.
Heat from the fire melted siding on the garage.
Upstairs bedroom. The contents ofthe closet on the left had been removed to provide access to the fire above the kitchen.
Heat damage to neighbor's house.
Side view of back porch.
One of the bedrooms on the second floor. The closetwas emptied and the contents were placed in this room. Note that even though fire did not reach this room, the contents were damaged. In a major fire, the area of content damage always exceeds the area damaged by actual fire
Inside a closet, looking over a bathroom and to the ouside. Ruined clothing lays on top of the blue storage containers.
