BY RONALD RAKOSNIK
In November 1999, the Lombard (IL) Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a local Mennonite church. The initial response to an incident of this type is two engines; one tower ladder; two medic units; two chief officers; and an automatic-aid engine, truck, and squad.
Lieutenant Michael Kalina, of Engine 46, the first-arriving fire company, reported a fire inside the church on the southeast side of the structure. He reported that the engine would be leading out with both sets of skids. One skid consists of 150 feet of 13/4-inch attack lines connected to a gated wye and supplied by a three-inch supply line. Engine 46 crew members then entered the church on the east side, working their way to the pulpit area of the church. There they discovered a small volume of fire consuming a portion of the stage around the pulpit.
INVESTIGATION
 Note the damage to the middle area of the stage. It is believed the fire found an opening in the floor and consumed this area. (Photos by author.) |
The fire originated under the stage on which the pulpit had been erected. The stage measured 25 feet wide 2 11 feet long and was approximately 15 inches high. In the center area of the platform were floor joists that were 16 inches on center. On the south end of the platform (see photo 1), investigators found electrical wire and microphone cable. It was quickly determined that this area was not the area of origin.
The investigator then focused on the back wall where the platform originated toward the center of the room. A small window immediately above the area had the deepest charring. This was the same window that contained visible fire on arrival of the initial companies. The platform was pulled away from the wall. Investigators were told that parishioners built the stage in 1983. Under the platform and along the south wall was a section of baseboard radiator. There was very little, if any, clearance from the top of the radiator to the underside of the platform. Prior to the construction of the platform, extension cords were used to supply various electrical items used by the church during services.
 Extension cords were found inside and underneath the radiator. Firefighters unplugged the cord and then removed the outlet cover plate. |
Building Department records indicated that the parishioners built the platform without building permits and the input of village inspectors. The extension cords were placed under as well as inside the radiators after the platform was constructed. One extension cord was 100 feet in length and was coiled and stuffed in the radiator.
Investigators believe that the extension cord-which was in the area since the platform was built (approximately 16 years)-was the cause of the fire. A short circuit developed because the extension cord had coiled. Every foot of wire has a certain resistance, which causes heat to build up during normal usage. Because the cord was coiled, the heat could not dissipate. Also, the cord was subjected to additional heat from contact with the radiator. Over time, the cord eventually dried out, the insulation cracked, and a short circuit occurred.
 The stage flooring was removed. Note the extension cord with the insulation burned off and the coiled extension cord stuffed in the floor joist area. |
The internal and external heating of this extension cord ultimately caused the thermoplastic insulation to fail. Once this occurred, the internal stranded copper conductors contacted each other. This caused a low-level short circuit to occur. This short circuit did not cause enough current draw initially to trip the circuit breaker; it continued long enough to produce enough heat to ignite the surrounding combustible materials prior to tripping the circuit breaker.
 The stage was pulled away from the wall. Note the discoloration at the top of the radiator, just below the window. This area is believed to be the point of fire origin. |
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 The faceplate of the radiator was found below the discoloration at the top side of the radiator, as noted in photo 4. |
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RONALD RAKOSNIK, a firefighter/paramedic, is a lieutenant in the Lombard (IL) Fire Department, where he has been a member of its Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for 14 years. He is an Illinois state-certified fire investigator and a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators. A certified fire officer I and II, Rakosnik has an associate’s degree in fire science and attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland (Cause and Origin); the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia (Advanced Arson for Profit, Cause and Origin/Courtroom Testimony); and numerous seminars pertaining to the fire investigation field.
