Fourth and Fifth Red Bulbs Placed on Fire Safety Wreath

Two structure fires that occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 13 represent the fourth and fifth red bulbs on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath.

Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 11:22 a.m. reporting a residential structure fire in the 900 block of Bremen Avenue. Crews arrived on scene to find a working fire with black smoke showing from the multi-family residence. Escambia County Fire Rescue called the fire under control at 11:48 a.m., with one apartment in the duplex sustaining fire damage along with heavy smoke and water damage. The other apartment was saved, but all occupants have been displaced due to damage to the shared electrical system. The two adults and seven children who were displaced are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported. ECFR determined that the fire was caused by unattended cooking. The apartment where the fire started did not have a working smoke detector.

The second fire occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. in the 7200 block of North Palafox Street, at the Palafox Landing apartment complex. The apartment's sprinkler system extinguished the fire prior to ECFR's arrival. No one was injured in the fire, but occupants of the first and second floor were displaced. ECFR determined that the fire was caused by unattended cooking. Working smoke detectors were present and alerted residents to the fire. 

If your home doesn't have a working smoke detector, please call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.

The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County's Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home. For more tips on how to stay safe during the holiday season, visit myescambia.com/KeepTheWreathGreen.