News Release from: Canby Fire Dist.
FIRE STARTS IN CHRISTMAS TREE - HEAVILY DAMAGES CANBY AREA HOME - PICTURES
Posted: December 17th, 2012 2:56 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Tree_Outside_Home.JPG (Tree examined outside home)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Ceiling.JPG (Heat at Ceiling level)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Tree_on_floor_two.JPG (Tree on floor where it fell)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Across_the_Room_Couch.JPG (Couch accross living room from tree)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Closed_Door.JPG (Downstairs Bedroom Door Closed Blocking Smoke)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Upstairs.JPG (Heavy Smoke and soot upstairs)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Upstairs_Door_Back_COBWEBS.JPG (Upstairs...Fire outside door)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Stairs.JPG (Staircase leading upstairs)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-12/864/60237/Window_and_Dog_Cage.JPG (Window Smoke Stained)
At 3:22 PM on December 16th Canby Fire was dispatched to a residential house fire located at 7171 S Barnards Rd, in rural Canby.
Initial information indicated that there was a fire inside the home with a child that was unaccounted for, possibly entrapped.
Upon arrival firefighters were greeted with frantic family members, still unsure of the where-abouts of their daughter. Firefighters conducted a 360 degree outside evaluation and noted most of the windows in the 1900's era farm home were blacked by smoke, however, there was no visible fire, nor any smoke pushing from any doors, windows, or openings.
When firefighters entered the home the conditions were unusual in that the home was full of thick black smoke, but very little heat. Firefighters initiated their primary search, when their radios interrupted them with emergency traffic. "Located all possible victims, No Rescue." The family had made contact with their daughter; she was not in the home.
Firefighters completed their search activities and transitioned into the fire confinement phase. In this case, there was no fire...it had burned itself out of oxygen before firefighters arrived, and had self extinguished.
Fire investigators determined that the area of origin was the Christmas Tree, and that the mini-lights had been left on during the time of the fire.
The pictures enclosed in this press release tell the story. A Christmas Tree in a home is a huge fuel source, readily ignitable. In this case the fire burned with great intensity until the oxygen levels dropped below the flammable range. Structurally, the home suffered minimal damage, however, the smoke and heat damage is massive. These pictures also show the value of smoke alarms installed in the correct locations, and the value of sleeping with your bedroom doors close.
Had this fire occurred during sleeping hours, it's likely that anyone sleeping upstairs, without the doors closed, and without the benefit of smoke alarms, likely would not have survived.
The estimated damages from this fire are $150,000.00. This fire serves several reminders: The value of Smoke Alarms installed in every sleeping room, just outside the sleeping room, and on every level of the home. The importance of sleeping with your bedroom door closed. And, of the fire potential with fresh-cut Christmas trees. Water trees regularly, use only factory tested and approved lights in excellent condition. Do not modify Christmas lights (bypass fuses), and only run lights when you are in the room. Also, keep Christmas Trees a safe distance from fireplaces, candles, woodstoves, and heating appliances.
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