Quick Thinking Saves Structure from Kitchen Fire

On August 24, 2009 at 1555 hrs. the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations Center received a 911 telephone call for a reported building fire at 36 West Main Street. Engines 7, 3, 4, Tower 1, Rescue 1 and the Shift Commander were dispatched.

When units arrived they found a small fire in the kitchen area. As crews stretched hose lines, forced doors and ventilated the structure, members of Rescue 1 searched, located and removed an elderly occupant from the second floor. The fire was small in nature and confined to the kitchen area. At this time the fire is under investigation.

Everyone must be reminded of the immediate need to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of your house and near sleeping area. In this situation, some of the detectors had low batteries and other batteries had been removed. Batteries need to be changed twice a year, remember – change your clock…change your battery.

At this fire, quick thinking occupants in another portion of the building used a portable fire extinguisher to knock down the fire. This action probably saved the structure from becoming engulfed quickly.