Breaking News: House Fire in Palisade Village
ByIn the dawn hours this morning a house in Palisade Village was consumed by fire. Portions of Palisade Blvd and McDonald Avenue have been closed so alternative routes are advised.
The fire appeared to begin in the attic where sprinklers were not present. The cause is unknown at this time, however the damage is extensive. The roof of the home is a total loss. Neighboring homes, which are located only a few feet from the charred house, were also damaged.
Witnesses report that the house is located on Forrest Street between Tolmie and McDonald avenues.
I first learned of the fire from RealDupont reader who posted the comment to Wednesday’s blog entry:
….[Early] this morning, DuPont had it’s first house fire in the Palisade neighborhood. The house is a total loss. It took the fire department 15 minutes to respond. Four engines were on the scene – 3 from Lakewood, 1 from DuPont. They had to use the ladder truck from Lakewood to put out the fire. The family made it out safely and all pets are accounted for. Family and neighbors were outside fighting the fire with their garden hoses, waiting on the fire department.
Neighbors milled about and watched the fire department complete their tasks in their bathrobes and pajamas, drinking their morning coffee, reported a witness.
The Quadrant Village Style home sat mid-block. Some Quadrant homes place the furnace in the attic of their homes, it is unknown whether this home also has a furnace in the attic.
Resident Scott Schenck snapped these photos while walking to work. He was unaware of the fire until happening upon the aftermath.
Scott states,
I took these photos this AM at 7:45. I conversed with the owner who was disheveled sitting in her car in the back alley…the sign on the back of the house says McIntyre.
According to [the owner], her husband woke her at 5:00AM and yelled to get out of the house. None of the sprinklers had activated, they believe the fire started in the attic based on how the fire grew and spread. I asked how long did it take for the fire department to arrive, and she was upset about that, she said it took them about 30 minutes and by the time they got her the house was toast. As I took the photos she had just noticed the neighbors homes and said, oh my god, look at the neighbor’s siding.
The big ladder truck was Lakewood’s (photo). I assume they could not do much until the ladder truck arrived.
Currently, the response times of the fire department vary.
The fire happened less than 12 hours after the city hosted a town hall meeting regarding the future of fire service in DuPont. The meeting was to provide citizens an opportunity to speak out regarding their expectations for level of fire service and the costs associated with it. Currently, DuPont relies on Lakewood to augment its fire service until the manpower crisis is sorted out. DuPont Fire Department does not own a ladder truck and relies on Lakewood for this service.
This is the first significant fire in the Northwest Landing development.
I was shocked this morning when I saw the devestation of a home lost in our community. My wife talked to Roger Westman, there is going to be more information provided by the fire chief that details what may have caused the fire.
Also, there will likely be some help from the red cross (donations accepted for this family I believe), please help through red cross donation for the McIntyre’s who have a long road ahead to recover from this horrible event.
Sorry to hear about this tragedy involving the McIntyres and the loss of their home. There will be some good to come out of this in that 1) it emphasizes the importance to the community of upgrading our fire department services and 2) This weekend I’ll be installing a smoke detector in my attic where my furnace is located plus buying a couple of fire extinguishers to have around the house.
Word is that the tone out for this fire was made by fire dispatch to Lakewood Fire Department.DuPont Fire did not receive the initial tone out. The DuPont Fire Department would have arrived much earlier than they did if they would have received the tone earlier.
More information on how to help the family and a community meeting set for Monday can be found at http://www.hometownclipper.com.
Some of the homes do have fire sprinklers in the attic, but weather or not they were working properly and not a part of the recall that occured last year which involved almost all of the Quadrant homes in DuPont remains to be seen. Its another reminder though to change out your batteries and follow up on those recalled sprinkler heads.
Here is an updated link to the clipper that takes you directly to the information you will need if you would like to assist this family in their time of need.
http://www.hometownclipper.com/id26.html
Palisade Res,
The affected sprinklerheads may be in some Quadrant Homes built prior to 2001. Please do not make gross generalizations that would prey on people’s fears at this emotional time. People should exercise due diligence when it comes to protecting their homes and families regarding the sprinkler recall, which was widely publicized nearly a year ago. It is purely speculative to insinuate sprinklers somehow failed. The fire investigators will be conducting a thorough report as to the cause of the fire. The opportunity to ask for further information has been scheduled, as noted in the Clipper.