At 5:04 pm yesterday afternoon, the Clinton Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 2208 North Gaines Drive. Arriving on scene, fire crews found moderate smoke coming from the front of the home with no active flames showing.
Firefighters deployed a 1-3/4 inch hose line and entered the structure to begin interior fire attack. Firefighters found the living room of the home to have significant fire damage and were able to gain control of the fire quickly.
A cooking range in the kitchen was found to have a burner on with a skillet and food items inside the skillet burning. This occurrence was completely unrelated to the cause of ignition of the fire in the living room area but caused alarm to fire crews. Although firefighters were initially told that no occupants were in the home, this indicated that an occupant may have still been in the residence. After a thorough search of the home, no residents were found and an investigation into the cause began.
The investigation yielded that a fire started on a love seat located in the living room area of the home. The cause of ignition is undetermined, however it is believed that careless smoking may have been a cause. No persons were home at the time of the fire.
A cooking range in the kitchen was found to have a burner on with a skillet and food items inside the skillet burning. This occurrence was completely unrelated to the cause of ignition of the fire in the living room area but caused alarm to fire crews. Although firefighters were initially told that no occupants were in the home, this indicated that an occupant may have still been in the residence. After a thorough search of the home, no residents were found and an investigation into the cause began.
The investigation yielded that a fire started on a love seat located in the living room area of the home. The cause of ignition is undetermined, however it is believed that careless smoking may have been a cause. No persons were home at the time of the fire.
Damages to the home are estimated at $45,000. 6 persons are temporarily displaced as a result of the fire but were assisted by the American Red Cross. The home had smoke detectors, however, they were not functional. Fire crews were on scene for 2.5 hours.
Courtesy of Mark Manuel Assistant Chief Clinton Fire Dept
