ECFR Encourages Community to Practice Fire Safety Considering Recent Lifesaving Rescues

Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to two fires on the evening of Feb. 1 and after the midnight hour of Feb. 2, resulting in saved lives.

With the winter months upon us and temperatures reaching severe weather lows, ECFR encourages the community to practice fire safety, especially when homes are at the most significant risk for fire. Home fires occur more in the winter months than at any other time of the year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths, and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths. 

Dispatched Feb. 1 at 6:24 p.m. to the 6700 block of W Jackson St., nine units responded to a residential fire. Upon arrival, smoke and flames were visible through the open front door. The two residents were already out of the house, but firefighters rescued an uninjured dog. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ECFR also responded to a mobile home structure fire in the 2700 block of Midland Park Drive on Feb. 2 at 12:42 a.m. E1, E11, L12, E6, and SQ3 arrived and saw flames showing from the front door. One occupant was able to get outside safely without assistance. During the search, firefighters rescued one victim in a bedroom and transported to a local area hospital.

The incident was brought under control by 1:03 a.m. There were no smoke alarms present in the home. The ECFR and Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations conducted a cause and origin investigation. They determined that the fire's cause was most likely a kinked electrical wire that ran a space heater.

"Most heating fires can be prevented from happening by following simple tips," said Ray Melton, ECFR fire and life safety specialist, who aided the rescued dog from the W Jackson fire.

Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Verify portable space heaters are turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

For portable electric heaters:

• Place them on a stable, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
• Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off, so they will turn off if they tip over.
• Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs, or loose connections; replace before using.

Heating Fire Facts:

• Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was a failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
• Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January, and February.

Smoke Detectors Save Lives! For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call 850-595-HERO (4376). City of Pensacola residents may call 850-436-5200 for detector installation assistance.

There are six weeks left of winter, according to this year's Groundhog Day prediction. Stay warm and stay safe by practicing these fire safety tips. And if you witness signs of a fire, be sure to dial 9-1-1. You could save a life.

Escambia County Fire Rescue is hiring. For information on open positions visit Join Escambia County Fire Rescue (myescambia.com).