Charlotte Fire Department

On Monday December 7, 2009 at 4:06 am (2) units from the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a report of an unconscious patient at an apartment located at 3111 Central Avenue. Firefighters arrived quickly and were confronted with multiple occupants feeling lightheaded and complaining of headaches. Recognizing these symptoms could be related to elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO), firefighters immediately began removing occupants from the apartment and used gas meters to detect the presence of CO. After monitoring the apartment firefighters found dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide levels.

All occupants were evacuated to ambulances for treatment. While firefighters continued their monitoring efforts they discovered elevated carbon monoxide levels in the adjacent second floor apartment, but levels in the two lower level apartments were within safe thresholds. The three residents of the adjacent second floor apartment were evacuated and treated on scene.

A faulty furnace was identified as the source of the CO in apartment C. Both affected apartments were ventilated and monitored until carbon monoxide levels decreased to acceptable levels. No other buildings in the complex were affected. The other three units were rendered safe and all residents were able to remain in those units.

· Fire Officials urge the community to have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

· Check your carbon monoxide alarm on a regular basis.

· If your carbon monoxide sounds, get out of your home and dial 911

Respectfully,

Rob Brisley

Captain | Public Information Officer

Charlotte Fire Department

CFD Home Page: http://www.charlottefire.org

On Sunday December 6, 2009 at 4:58 am, (7) companies (3 Engines, 1, Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, and 2 Battalion Chiefs) from the Charlotte Fire Department were dispatched to the report of a structure fire at 1204 Ogden Place. Firefighters from nearby Station #27 were first to arrive at 5:04 am and reported smoke showing from a two-story single-family dwelling. Ladder 27 also reported a fire victim outside of the home and requested EMS to respond. Engine 34 established a water supply using water from a nearby fire hydrant and assisted Engine 40 and Ladder 27 with fire attack. Engine 35 provided patient care for the victim who presented with smoke inhalation and minor burns. Engine 27 accessed the roof via portable ladders where they cut a hole to allow heat, smoke, and super-heated gases to escape assisting the firefighters inside to quickly knockdown the fire.

A primary search of the home was completed at 5:11 am, and a control time was declared at 5:27 am. The origin and cause of this fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at $75,000. There were no injuries to firefighters. There were no smoke alarms present in this home.

Fire Officials would like to remind the community-at-large that:

• A working smoke alarm is one of the cheapest, but most valuable life insurance policies you can buy.
• Test your smoke alarm once a month.
• Plan an escape route and a meeting place in the event of a fire or other emergency in your home.

In Service,

Mark Basnight

Captain | Public Information Officer

Charlotte Fire Department

CFD Home Page: http://www.charlottefire.org

CFD News & Info: http://www.charlottefire.org/information.htm