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San Pablo Residents Narrowly Escape Fire – No Smoke Alarms
March 31st, 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: March 30th, 2013
TIME OF ALARM: 05:26 am
TYPE OF ALARM: Residential Structure Fire
LOCATION: 2924 15th St., San Pablo
RESPONSE: 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 2 Battalion Chiefs
ASSISTING AGENCIES: Richmond Fire, San Pablo Police, PG&E, Red Cross, and AMR
TOTAL FIRE PERSONNEL AT SCENE: 18
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Engine 70 (San Pablo), Engine 69 (El Sobrante) and Richmond Fire Department Engines 66, 62 and Truck 68 responded to a reported residential structure fire at 2924 15th Street in San Pablo. Engine 70 arrived at scene and reported heavy smoke from the attached garage of a one story home. Fire crews initiated an offensive strategy of fire attack, search, and ventilation operations at the incident. The occupants of the home, four adults and three children, were able to escape the home and a secondary dwelling unit without injury. The fire was under control within 19 minutes and was confined to the garage. The garage of this home had been converted to a dwelling unit where two occupants were asleep at the time of the fire. There were no operating smoke detectors in this home! All of the residents were fortunate that one of the occupants awoke to the smell of smoke and evacuated everyone.
The fire caused $10,000 damage and the remainder of the home was saved. The family in the secondary dwelling unit was evaluated by Firefighter/Paramedics for smoke exposure but did not require additional medical care. The Red Cross was called to provide temporary housing for four adults and three children. The preliminary cause and origin investigation determined that the fire was a result of an electrical overload or malfunction. A referral regarding code enforcement and concerns about proper use of the garage was forwarded to the City of San Pablo Building Department.
The Fire District reminds the public of the importance of having properly maintained and operating smoke detectors and that garages are not designed for living or sleeping purposes. Click here for guidelines on residential smoke alarms.
Media Contact: Lewis Broschard, Fire Marshal/PIO 925-383-5017
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