A couple in their 70’s was displaced after a fire damaged their home in the 1800 block of West Oakway Drive, with neighbors fearing they were still inside as the fire broke out.
Multiple calls were made to 9-1-1 reporting heavy smoke and flames coming from the home and Fire Department personnel could see the large column of smoke from the Interstate as they responded. Neighbors were very concerned that the elderly couple might still be inside and that one of them had a disability that would make it challenging to get out.
Firefighters entered the house through the front door to perform a search and locate the fire. They encountered heavy fire in the rear bedroom area of the home and also stated that the fire had gotten into the attic above them. Additional crews on scene controlled the utilities and then went to the roof to perform an attic reset.
The reset consists of a pointed nozzle that pierces the roof from the top and then sprays several hundred gallons of water per minute into the attic space. The house was searched and deemed all clear and firefighters were able to control the fire in the attic and rear area of the home.
The homeowners arrived at the scene during firefighting operations and TFD personnel worked with them on getting assistance from Red Cross. Nine units consisting of 23 firefighters responded to the scene and controlled the fire 27 minutes after arriving.
There were no injuries reported by firefighters. Investigators were on scene but were still in the process of determining the cause and origin of the fire. There is no estimate of the cost to repair might at this time.