On the morning of October 12, 2010, at 1:50 a.m. fire crews were called to a single-family residence with heavy fire reported in the garage and on the first floor. Upon arrival of the fire crews at 1:55 a.m., family members were attempting to make rescues from a front porch roof and reported two victims still inside the structure. Two firefighters from Engine 7 (Thalia Station) entered the second floor window and encountered high heat and zero visibility conditions. While searching the bedroom directly over the fire room the firefighters found a 16-month-old child. A third firefighter from Engine 7 started to extinguish the fire on the first floor to protect the rescuers on the second floor. Engine 9 (Kempsville) entered through the front door to assist the members from Engine 7 and found a 73-year-old woman laying on the stairs, disoriented and suffering from smoke inhalation. She was removed by Engine 9’s crew. Engine 2 and Ladder 2 (Haygood Station) arrived next and members from Ladder 2 removed an occupant on the roof of the garage who was trying to save the child. Engine 2 performed fire attack and extinguished the fire located on the fire floor. Engine 16 (Plaza Station) searched the first floor and assisted with fire extinguishment. Battalion Chief 2 (Haygood) was the Incident Commander for this well orchestrated incident. Firefighter medics treated the patients on scene and assisted with the transport of the patients. One Firefighter was injured for heat exhaustion and she was treated and released from a local hospital.
Three patients were transported to local hospitals. Currently, the infant is in serious condition in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. One patient is in serious condition at Sentara Leigh Hospital and the other was treated and released. In total, ten residents occupied the home at the time of the fire and all were accounted for and medically evaluated at the scene.
The fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes. The fire was ruled accidental due to an overloaded extension cord. In addition, upon discovery of the fire the occupant attempted to self-extinguish the fire. The fire rapidly intensified and all of the occupants did not have time to leave the structure. Fire Officials urge citizens to call 911 as soon as the fire is discovered and to alarm sleeping people of a fire so they can self-rescue.
The smoke detector’s battery was turned around backwards and did not alarm the citizens. When Fire Investigators properly installed the battery, the detector did work. Fire Officials also urge citizens to regularly check their smoke detectors.
The home was severely damaged and the Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.
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For more information, please contact Battalion Chief Tim Riley at 757-385-1075 or
e-mail at
triley@vbgov.com.
