Disaster was averted on March 20 thanks to smoke detectors that alerted residents to a kitchen fire. According to Orange County Fire Marshal Elizabeth Farnan, the county had just days before inspected the alarms and installed new batteries after receiving a complaint from a resident.
“A gentleman called us a week ago complaining that the smoke alarms were beeping,” she said. “We went over there and installed all new batteries and made sure they were working.”
The incident, in a second story apartment at 2111 Orange Grove Road, occurred late in the morning. Firefighters from Orange Rural Fire Department responded to a 911 call and found a kitchen fire burning in the cabinets and wall around the cook stove (see photograph).
The blaze was put out with a fire extinguisher. Firefighters opened the wall around the cook stove and found more smoldering fire, which was also put out. All residents evacuated safely.
According to the incident report from Orange Rural Fire Department, “the occupant of the apartment stated that smoke detectors alerted them of the fire. This is a great example of how smoke detectors save lives. Make sure your home has properly installed and functioning smoke detectors.”
The immediate warning from the smoke detector may have also prevented the damage from being greater. Firefighters were able to respond before the blaze spread to additional units.
Besides ensuring smoke detectors are functioning properly by testing them monthly and changing the batteries regularly, Farnan also reminds residents never to leave food unattended on a stove.
Orange County Fire & Life Safety Division provides free smoke alarms and installation to vulnerable citizens and at risk communities as well as home safety tips and courtesy home fire inspections.
For information, please contact firemarshals@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-6100 and request the Fire & Life Safety Division.