Fire departments across Geauga County and neighboring areas were stretched thin on the freezing evening of Jan. 20, responding to four fire-related incidents in just over an hour.
Fire departments across Geauga County and neighboring areas were stretched thin on the freezing evening of Jan. 20, responding to four fire-related incidents in just over an hour.
Burton Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at 8:19 p.m. on Hotchkiss Road in Burton Township, Chief Brian Davidson said in a press release.
“Units arrived on scene and reported a large, two-and-a-half story single family dwelling with a working fire, flames showing from the residence on the second floor and roof,” he said. “Interior attack crews were forced to exit the structure due to exploding firearm ammunition on the second floor.”
The family and pets evacuated the home after smelling smoke and hearing crackling sounds in the walls, according to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office report. No injuries were reported.
About 10 fire departments from Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga, Portage and Trumbull counties assisted in extinguishing the blaze and establishing a tanker shuttle for water supply in freezing temperatures, Davidson said.
The fire was under control by 10:51 p.m. and crews remained on the scene conducting overhaul operations until 1:40 a.m., he said.
“Property and content loss is estimated around $300,000,” Davidson said, adding the Geauga County Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.
While Burton firefighters were battling the blaze, a traffic crash and separate emergency medical incident were reported.
“Community Care Ambulance out of Middlefield handled the EMS call and Chardon Fire Department handled the traffic crash incident,” Davidson said.
Berkshire Drive Fire
At 8:07 p.m. Jan. 20, Chardon Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Berkshire Drive in the Aquilla Village neighborhood of Claridon Township, according to a press release from Chief Justin Geiss.
Occupants reported electrical problems accompanied by crackling sound coming from the ceiling, he said.
“Crews quickly identified and extinguished a fire located in the attic space of the home. Fire damage was minimal; however, due to limited access to the fire area, the residence sustained extensive water damage and overhaul damage,” he said.
The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family, and the GCFIU is also investigating the fire.
“While this incident does not appear to be related to improper use of heating appliances … with frigid temperatures approaching, we would like to remind residents to follow all manufacturer-related operating instructions for heating equipment,” Geiss said, including:
- Maintaining a minimum three-foot clearance around space heaters;
- Plugging space heaters directly into wall outlets;
- Avoiding using an extension cord with space heaters;
- Using only one heating appliance per outlet;
- Having working smoke detectors on every level of the home.
“Additionally, with snow accumulation increasing, it is important to ensure your furnace exhaust remains clear of obstruction,” Geiss said. “Many modern high-efficiency furnaces vent through the side of the home rather than the roof and can become blocked by drifting snow.”
Chagrin Road Fire
Around the same time, Bainbridge Township crews were dispatched to a residential fire on Chagrin Road, said Fire Chief Lou Ann Metz.
Residents were alerted to the fire in the clothes dryer and vent when a family member heard smoke alarms going off and went to investigate, she said.
The young man discovered smoke in the laundry room, closed the door and contacted dispatch, Metz said.
“Luckily, they were all home, they all got out and we got there really quick,” she said, adding the fire in the dryer may have been caused by a vent pipe clogged with lint and was easily and quickly extinguished.
Damage was limited to the dryer, vent and clothing in a basket, with some minor smoke damage, Metz said, adding it could have been much worse.
“Working smoke detectors in the residence saved the family’s lives,” she said.
Heath Road Fire
Munson Township Fire Chief Mike Vatty said his department responded to an oven fire at 9:19 p.m. and was able to resolve the incident quickly.
He, however, it was a rough night for all the fire departments providing mutual aid to their neighboring departments.
Working a fire in freezing temperatures makes the job significantly more difficult, he said.
Vatty praised the sheriff’s office dispatchers for their efforts and offered additional safety reminders for residents: call your local fire department to arrange for free smoke detector installation and, if you notice smoke or a fire, exit the building immediately.
