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The fire is not believed to be intentional. Fire officials say the fire started in the rear of the home near a computer desk. Autopsies showed that the family members all died from smoke inhalation before fire destroyed their home. Fire officials said earlier this week that the fire appeared accidental. They also say that the Davis home did not have any working smoke detectors inside.
Wendi Davis was found with her daughters in one room, while Russell Davis was found in his bedroom.
Susannah was a freshman at UGA. Her sister was a junior at Southeast Bulloch High School.
“Looking back on this incident and reflecting upon the loss of life, we have to ask why,” said Paul D. Martin, President of the Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) and chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
CCFS reflects on this tragedy and wants to remind everyone of the importance of properly installing and maintaining smoke detectors in accordance with prescribed codes and standards. “But let’s look beyond requirements and ask ourselves what else we can do to avoid potential loss of life from fire,” said Martin.
Keep a portable fire extinguisher on the second floor–and be sure it is fully charged. A fire extinguisher is useful for fires smaller than a wastebasket. If a small incipient fire cannot be controlled, or if it becomes larger than a wastebasket, Exit the building immediately.
Consider adding Fire Sprinklers
Fire Sprinklers Protect Your Home and Your Family. Most people don’t realize that 8 out of 10 fire deaths occur in the home. They usually happen at night when everyone is asleep. Fires are also fast; they can go from a tiny flame to total destruction in as little as three minutes. Fire sprinklers can suppress and often extinguish a fire before the fire department arrives, giving your family time to escape.
Plan your escape routes. Identify windows, and doors, know two ways out and determine and escape route for when the main exits are blocked.
Keep an emergency escape ladder on the second floor. Plan a safe escape route for windows.
Keep escape routes clean. Do not allow objects to be stored in halls or stairwells. Inspect exterior door at bottom of stairwell. It must be able to be opened without a key from the inside. Door cannot be blocked by snow, cars or other objects.
Choose a meeting place in advance. Pick a highly visible area in front of your home that is a safe distance away from the flames to meet at in case of fire related emergency.
Be prepared. Practice your emergency exit routes with each occupant. Practice crawling low to avoid toxic smoke from a fire. Practice feeling doors for heat before opening doors. Practice opening windows and using an emergency escape ladder.
CCFS has been documenting specific campus related fires since Year 2000. This fire occurred in a private home, therefore it is not one that CCFS would document as an on or off-campus related fire. That said, it is a devastating fire that killed 4 people and we hope these safety tips will be helpful to all families.
Current and more detailed statistics, along with the definition of how we define “campus related fires” are always posted on the website, along with a host of fire safety resources and tips for fire safety professionals as well as students in both universities and off-campus housing. One of the resources includes a daily and ongoing listing of other fire incidents in the higher education arena.
To learn more about CCFS and its programs, visit www.campusfiresafety.org.
For additional information:
Fire Fatality Statistics and Definition: http://www.campusfiresafety.org/firefatalitystatistics
Continual e-news -campus fire & safety: http://www.campusfiresafety.org/News
Campus Fire Safety Resources: http://www.campusfiresafety.org/resources
