In the late evening hours of May 27, 2009, your Fire District along with assistance from three other departments, responded to a major fire in your subdivision. I am sure that a fire of this magnitude generates many questions and concerns when it strikes so close to home. I felt this would be a good opportunity to share some information about the fire and some safety recommendations that could help prevent a similar occurrence.

Here are some of the facts of the incident: The initial call was received by the St Charles County Dispatch Agency from a residence across the street from the house on fire at 10:10 p.m. The initial caller reported that "the house across the street was on fire...the whole roof was on fire and that the flames were 50 ft in the air." The call was dispatched at 10:12 p.m. as a First Alarm Residential Fire with four pumpers, one ladder truck and an ambulance to respond from surrounding stations.

The first emergency vehicle to arrive was an ambulance that reported a working fire with heavy fire coming from the roof at 10:20 p.m. The first pumper arrived on the scene from the Cottleville Fire Protection District, Station #2, on Harvester Rd. at 10:24 p.m. They reported that they had heavy fire from the houses and were making a defensive attack using a Master Stream Device. (Truck mounted nozzle)

The fire was brought under control through the use of a combination of master streams and hand lines.

Questions and Answers

How did the fire start? The cause of the fire was determined to be from a lightning strike.

How was the fire discovered? The residents were unaware of the fire until they noticed a glow in their backyard and began evacuating the house.  There were multiple calls reporting the fire, the first coming from across the street.

How did the fire get such a head start before someone discovered the fire? The fire started in the rear of the house in the attic. There were no initial interior signs of fire visible in the residence and it appeared that the fire burned for some time in the attic prior to discovery.

Was water supply a factor in bringing this fire under control? Yes. We calculated that a fully involved residence of this size requires a fire flow of 1200 - 1500 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) to begin to stop the fire where it is and bring it under control. A test of the hydrants in the area showed that there is a maximum of 761 GPM available. Less then one half the water supply needed for a fire of this magnitude.

What should you do if you suspect your home has been struck by lightning?
First and foremost, don't panic. It is always recommended to call 911 if you suspect your home has been struck by lightning.

Lightning is a very dynamic phenomenon. Often what sounds like and appears to be a direct strike on your home is only a strike in your area. In the interest of safety, your Fire District would rather inspect a suspected strike than risk having an undetected fire cause greater damage.

If you discover a fire after a lightning strike evacuate the home and call 911 immediately. Do not take time to remove items or go back into the home to retrieve possessions.


What can you do to prevent fires in the home?

• Conduct a home hazard hunt. Many things around the home can be fire hazards. Taking time to look for and eliminate hazards greatly reduces your risk.
• Unattended cooking is a frequent cause of home fires. Never leave food cooking on the stove.
• Keep the stove area clean and clear of combustibles, such as towels, clothing, curtains, bags, boxes, and other appliances. Combustible materials near stoves may catch fire quickly when your attention is elsewhere.
• Wear short or restrained sleeves when you are cooking. Loose sleeves can catch fire quickly.
• Don't leave candles burning in a room unattended.
• Have chimneys and wood stoves inspected annually and cleaned if necessary. Chimneys and wood stoves build up creosote, which is the residue left behind by burning wood. Creosote is flammable and needs to be professionally removed periodically. Dispose of ashes in a metal trash can with a tight fitting lid away from the home.
• Make sure your home heating source is clean and in working order. Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, cracked or rusted furnace parts.
• Use portable kerosene heaters in well-ventilated rooms only. Kerosene heaters produce potentially toxic gases. It is best to keep them well-ventilated to avoid gas buildup.
• Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture, and anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet away from all heat sources. Plug heaters directly into the wall socket and unplug them when they are not in use.
• Avoid smoking in bed, or when drowsy or medicated.
• Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ash trays. Don't let smoking material buildup, empty daily.
• Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal. Smoking materials are the leading cause of residential fire deaths in the United States.
• Keep matches and lighters on a high shelf, away from children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Children are fascinated by fire and may play with matches and lighters if they are not kept out of reach.
• Check electrical wiring in your home. Replace frayed extension cords, exposed wires, or loose plugs.
• Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high-traffic areas.
• Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
• Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.
• Buy only appliances and electrical devices that bear the label of a testing laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL).
• Store combustible materials in open areas away from heat sources.
• Place rags used to apply household chemicals in metal containers with tight fitting lids.
• Buy only laboratory tested and labeled heaters and follow the manufacturer's directions. Heaters that have gone through rigorous testing and are approved for use in the home are less likely to cause fire.

• All smoke detectors have a 10 year life and should be replaced.
• Replace batteries twice a year.
• Make sure that there is a working smoke detector in every room where someone sleeps.
• An electric hardwired smoke detector should be installed and tied into the existing detectors when you add a room or an addition to your home.

CCFR offers smoke detector inspections free of charge to its citizens. If you would like for us to come out and check your detectors please call 636-970-9700, Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment. I hope that you find this information useful and if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

 
Russell K. Mason, Fire Chief
Central County Fire & Rescue