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Recent Incidents
Smoke Detectors Save Couple's Lives
February 7th, 2010, 1:09 PM
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2010 - Harry and Jean Smith of 1725 Southport Drive were awoken by their smoke alarms and quickly exited their house. The smoke detectors saved the couple's life. By the time they got out, their entire house was on fire.
The Smith's trekked across the snow and ice covered street to 1724 Southport to wake their neighbor to call 911.
Neighbors reported seeing flames at the left, rear of the house.
Lancaster Township Fire Department was dispatched at 1:19 am Sunday February 7 for a dwelling fire at 1725 Southport Drive, residence name unknown.
While enroute, County Communications advised responding apparatus that PD was on the scene with a house engulfed in flames. They also reported both occupants were out of home and safely in the residence across the street at 1724 Southport Drive.
Lancaster Township Deputy Chief Glenn Usdin arrived with assistant Chief Jim Roop and found a 2 story single family frame dwelling with heavy fire issuing out of the windows, door and through the roof. Assistant Chief Roop immediately requested a 2nd alarm.
Burning embers covered the surrounding area but was protected by the snow cover.
Lancaster Township Engine 66-1 hit the flames with their deck gun to begin to extinguish the fire. The blaze was declared a defensive master stream operation. No firefighters entered the building.
Ice quickly coated the streets, sidewalks and personnel. A Lancaster Township salt truck was requested to bring salt to the scene to melt the ice on Southport Drive and Beanhill Road.
Temperatures dropped to 12 degrees overnight. The heavy snow around the building combined with the cold temperatures made difficult firefighting conditions. Firefighters were walking in knee deep snow to access the area around the building.
Firefighters protected an exposure building at 1721 Southport Drive from the flames with a handline. The heat melted the vinyl siding, the snow covered roof was protected by the snow cover.
PPL shut power off to Southport Drive for short time until power was cut to the fire building. UGI and the water department were called to shut off their utilities.
The charred wood skeleton of the dwelling collapsed at 2:45 am.
The incident was declared under control at 3:39 am
Lancaster Township units were released from the scene at 4:15 AM.
Neighbors were looking for 2 pet cats this morning, hoping they escaped the blaze safely.
American Red Cross was called to provide help for the Smith’s
PA State Police Fire Marshal James Dewalt investigated the fire. Results are unknown as of noon Sunday.
The house is a total loss. Structural damage is estimated at $250,000. No damage estimate is available for the contents. There were no injuries reported.
Southport Drive runs off of Beanhill Road across from Conestoga Memorial Cemetery.
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