Charlotte Fire Department

Three weekend house fires, 2 Saturday, and 1 Sunday displaced three families and were caused by the residents living food cooking on their stovetops unattended. Cooking fires remain the number #1 cause of residential fires in America, have displaced hundreds of people and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Fire Prevention Week is just around the corner, October 5^th – 11^th, and Charlotte Fire Officials are reminding the population to ‘Stay Alert, Stay Safe, Stay Alive.’

The first fire was reported at 1:22 p.m. on Saturday August 28^th. (4) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, and (2) Battalion Chiefs were dispatched to 6300 Bridlewood Lane for a report of a house fire. Firefighters arrived quickly and declared a working fire in a one-story single-family dwelling. (27) Firefighters were called to knockdown the fire, which began in the kitchen in less than eight minutes and save the majority of the dwelling. The fire caused damage significant enough to displace one adult and three juveniles.

The second fire was reported at 8:16 p.m. Saturday evening. (4) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, and (2) Battalion Chiefs responded to 5301 Baker Street for a report of a stove on fire. Firefighters from nearby Station 12 arrived quickly and reported smoke showing from a split-level single-family home. Firefighters needed two hoselines to knockdown the flames, which began on the stovetop and extended into the attic space.

(27) Firefighters were called to knockdown this fire and bring it under control in 13 minutes. The occupants were able to self-evacuate with their canine. Firefighters located a cat and reunited with the pet with the owners. The fire caused an estimated $35,000 in damage and two adults were displaced.

On Sunday, August 29^th (5) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (2) Battalion Chiefs, and (1) Fire Investigator were dispatched to a reported house fire at 916 Allen Street. While enroute, Fire Communications advised companies of reports of occupants still believed to be inside the one-story single-family home. Fire companies reported a large plume of smoke visible from a distance prior to their arrival. Firefighters from nearby Station 1 were first due, arrived in less than four minutes, and reported heavy fire showing. Firefighters sprinted into action and deployed two hoselines initiating a firefight and were able to knockdown the flames a short time afterwards. The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and attic space, but damage estimates were not readily available. No civilians were injured, but firefighters were credited with rescuing one canine.

(27) Firefighters were needed to bring this fire under control in 10 minutes. As a result of this fire, a third family was displaced. The cause of this fire was once again caused by food left cooking on the stove unattended.