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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Young Boy Critically Injured as Early Morning Fire Tears Through Home

11:26 PM | Posted by Mark Basnight | Edit Post
On February 3rd, 2011 at 5:35 a.m. (9) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (4) Fire Investigators (3) Battalion Chiefs, (2) Deputy Chiefs, and Fire Chief Jon B. Hannan responded to reports of a house fire at 6200 Springfield Drive. While enroute, Charlotte Fire Communications advised companies of a report of an occupant trapped inside the dwelling. Firefighters from nearby Station 3 arrived in less than five minutes and reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a 3088 square foot split-level home.

Family members met crews in front of the home and stated a young family member was still inside the burning structure. One of the family members reported waking up, smelling smoke, and then alerting family members, but the young boy was unable to escape. Firefighters initiated well-coordinated rescue and fire attack operations by initiating a hasty search and stretching hoselines. Two crewmembers located the adolescent boy and extricated him to a safe area outside the structure. The young boy was transported to Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries; the three remaining family members were also transported with potentially life-threatening injuries.

Firefighters encountered ‘pack rat’ type conditions while engaged in the firefight of this well-entrenched fire, which contributed to the heavy fire load. Crews performed topside ventilation by cutting a hole in the roof, allowing heat, smoke, and super-heated gases to escape. Just as they completed cutting a hole in the roof, the fire broke through and lit up the early morning sky. With fire conditions continuing to deteriorate fire crews were forced to suspend interior operations until the bulk of the fire was knocked down utilizing large caliber water streams.

As fire conditions improved firefighters resumed interior operations and were faced with the grim task of removing deceased family pets, canine and feline. In total, (24) pets were accounted for, (22) of which perished in the massive fire; (2) feline survived. (48) Firefighters were summoned to affect the rescue and knockdown the fire in one hour. Fire Investigators have determined that the cause of the fire was accidental. Damage caused by fire, smoke, water, and fire control was estimated at $150,000. Unfortunately, there was no evidence of operable smoke alarms in the home.

Fire Officials implore the population to:

Stay Alert: Be sure to have a smoke alarm in your home
Stay Safe: Test the smoke alarm regularly
Stay Alive: Practice escape plans and establish a meeting place


Eternally devoted to duty and service,

Mark Basnight | Captain
Public Information Officer
Office of Media & Public Affairs
Charlotte Fire Department

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