Residential Structure Fire

Incident Date: 10/29/09
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.573.2588
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
Incident Location: 2329 South “L” Street
Probable Cause: Curling Iron
Damages: $75,000
Injuries: None

Narrative: At 6:04 a.m. Thursday October 29th 2009, 7 companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 5 Engines, 1 Ladder, and 1 Medic Unit responded to a reported residential structure fire at 2329 South “L” Street. The first arriving units found smoke and flames showing from a second floor bedroom.

Crews attacked the fire with hand lines, conducted primary search and rescue and used a Thermal Imaging Camera to check for fire extension and hot spots once they had the main fire contained. The occupants (2 adults & 4 children) escaped unharmed and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: Fire investigators have determined that the cause of the fire was a curling iron next to combustible materials, resulting in an estimated $75,000 damage to the building and its contents.

Smoke Alarms...

Tacoma Fire Department would like to remind everyone to take a few moments to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms this weekend.

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries, so maintenance is a simple and effective way to protect your family and reduce home fire deaths.

According to the Washington State Fire Marshal, 82 percent of fire deaths in our State occur in homes without working smoke alarms and the peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. - when most families are sleeping.

For best protection, it is recommended that people install alarms utilizing both (ionization and photoelectric) technology and ones that have long life 10 year lithium ion batteries.

Visit the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association for additional information regarding smoke alarm types, installation, maintenance and safety.