RECENT INCIDENTS

Pebblebrook Fire -1/3/07

At 8:16 am on Wednesday, January 3^rd, Strongsville Emergency Dispatch received the first of many phone calls regarding a house fire at 10777 Pebble Brook Lane. The first call came from the resident who was at home with her two small children ages 5 and 3 years old. She smelled smoke but doesn’t recall hearing an alarm from a smoke detector. As she was investigating the cause of the smoke odor she tried to open the door that leads from the house to the attached garage but it was stuck. She looked out her front door and saw smoke and flames coming from the garage. She dialed 911then grabbed some clothes and scrapbooks as she and her children exited their home. Her car was in the garage that was now well involved in fire. The tires on the car began to loudly explode as calls to 911 were now reporting a house fire with explosions.

Strongsville Engine 3 arrived at the fire at 8:20 am.  18 fire department members and five pieces of equipment were involved in the firefight that took 20 minutes to control. No injuries occurred.  

The Strongsville Fire Investigation Unit determined that the cause of the fire was ashes from a fire in the fireplace had been thrown in a plastic garbage bag that was placed in the garage. The residents had a fire in the fireplace on New Years Day and thought that the 36 hours that had passed from the use of the fireplace to the placing of the ashes in the plastic bag would have been enough time for the ashes to completely cool.

Fire damage is estimated at $80,000 dollars and it will be months before the residents are able to move back into their home.

Assistant Chief Brown, Strongsville’s Fire Marshal, stated that Strongsville has two or three house fires per year related to improper disposal of fireplace embers or ashes. Homeowners that use woodstoves or fireplaces need to place embers and ashes in a metal can with a tight fitting lid and the can needs to be kept away from combustible materials. Chief Brown asks that area residents contact him at 440-580-3218 or greg.brown@strongsville.org for more information on fire safety.

Marks Rd Fire - 4/7/2007

On Saturday, April 7, 2007, a structure fire occurred at a North Marks Road residence. A fire originating in the kitchen, extended vertically through the kitchen ceiling, entered a second-floor bedroom and ultimately failed portions of the roof. Areas of the structure not burned suffered extensive smoke damage.

Strongsville Firefighters responded after a call was received from Lorain County emergency dispatch at approximately 2:48 p.m. stating that Columbia Station Fire Department was on-scene because the fire was originally believed to have been in their jurisdiction.  Strongsville fire crews arrived within four minutes to assist in fire suppression efforts.

Strongsville fire crews were on scene for nearly two and one half hours performing suppression, overhaul, and investigation duties.  An investigation conducted by the Southwest Emergency Response Team Fire Investigation Unit determined the fire to be accidental in nature and most likely caused by a defective microwave.  Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $170,000.  There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, but the owner’s dog died in the fire due to heavy smoke.

Springfield Circle Gas Explosion - 8/22/07

On Wednesday, August 22^nd Strongsville Emergency Dispatch was notified of a natural gas leak on Springfield Circle.  Strongsville Fire units were dispatched at 11:54 a.m. and arrived on Springfield Circle at 11:59 a.m. where they were assisted by other on scene agencies with the evacuation of residents in the immediate vicinity.  At approximately 12:12 p.m. there was a sudden explosion of a single structure containing two attached townhouses. 

The main body of the fire was brought under control with a fire engine mounted master stream while firefighters simultaneously deployed hand lines for the firefight and to provide exposure protection to the adjacent homes.  There was only one minor injury to a utility worker who was treated and released at Southwest General Health Center.  The duplex was a total loss due to the explosion and ensuing fire.  Damages are expected to be more than $500,000.  The two families that resided there will be displaced for about one year.

An investigation headed by the Southwest Emergency Response Team Fire Investigation Unit and several other agencies including the State Fire Marshal, PUCO, Department of Transportation, Columbia Gas, and several insurance companies determined the cause to be accidental.  Cable installers attempting to bury an underground cable line punctured a gas line.  The explosion was caused by several contributing factors including the size and location of the punctured gas line and atmospheric conditions that limited the ability of the gas to dissipate into the air. A spark created by static electricity from the free flowing natural gas was the ignition source.

Residents are reminded to provide complete cooperation with emergency response personnel when asked to evacuate your homes or when detoured for road closings due to emergency situations.  We are working for your safety and your patience and cooperation are appreciated.

Rabbit Run Fire - 11/19/2008

On November 19, 2008 Strongsville Dispatch received 9-1-1 calls for a house fire on Rabbit Run.  The caller reported fire coming out of the windows.  Strongsville Fire crews were on scene within four minutes and reported a working fire on the second floor of the house.  The 17 responding firefighters quickly went into action to bring the fire under control.  Fire suppression efforts included advancing hoselines through the house to the second floor to extinguish the fire, windows were ventilated to allow heat, smoke, and poisionous gases to escape, and the entire house was searched for any possible victims.  The fire was quickly extinguished and the search of the house revealed no one was at home at the time of the fire.  Fire crews were on scene for about three hours overhauling and performing an investigation.

The fire started in a bedroom most likely from combustible items (clothes) coming in contact with an electric space heater.  Damage to the home and contents are estimated around $150,000.  Residents are reminded that space heaters are to be used as supplemental heat only and that combustibles must be kept at least three feet away.  Space heater should be plugged directly into the wall outlet and should be unplugged when not in use.

Cherry Tree Apartment Fire - 4/8/2009

On April 8, 2009 Strongsville Dispatch received numerous 9-1-1 calls of a building fire at Cherry Tree apartment complex.  The first Strongsville fire company arrived within two minutes of the initial 9-1-1 call and reported a working fire from a third floor apartment.  The fire had advanced into the attic space prior to the arrival of fire units.  The 16 Strongsville firefighters quickly evacuated the building residents and began fire suppression operations.  Mutual aid fire companies were requested from Berea, Middleburg Heights, and North Royalton.  The fire was brought under control with the deployment of several attack lines and the hard work of nearly 30 on-scene firefighters.

The Southwest Emergency Response Team Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene for an investigation.  It was determined the fire started as a result of careless smoking on the exterior wooden deck.  The fire started on the third floor deck, travelled up the siding, and entered the attic area.  A Strongsville Firefighter was injured by falling debris, but did not require hospitalization.  Damages to the structure and building contents are estimated at $500,000.

Winchester Fire - 5/19/2009

On May 19, 2009 Strongsville Dispatch received numerous 9-1-1 phone calls of a house fire at 18211 Winchester Court.  Callers report no one is home, but a dog can be heard barking.  Within six minutes 17 Strongsville firefighters arrived to find the rear of the house on fire.  The fire had raced up the exterior vinyl siding and entered the attic space.  Interior and exterior fire attacks were coordinated to bring the fire under control within 15 minutes.  The family dog was rescued from the structure and was returned to his owners.  Fire damge was extensive to the rear of the home, the roof and the second floor master bedroom.  There was smoke damage throughout the entire building.  There were no injuries.  Brunswick Fire Department responded with one engine company to provide manpower and equipment.

The Southwest Emergency Response Team Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene for an investigation.  It was determined the fire started as a result of careless smoking on the rear patio.  The fire started when a cigarette was carelessly discarded in the landscaping mulch next to the vinly siding.  Once enough heat was generated the fire travelled up the siding, and entered the attic area.   Residents are reminded to please dispose of smoking materials in proper, preferably, metal containers and not into landscaping adjacent to buildings.  Damages to the structure and building contents are estimated at $200,000.

17785 Whitney Rd - Chestnut Lake Apartments - 8/31/2009

On Monday, August 31, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. Strongsville Dispatch received numerous 9-1-1 phone calls for an apartment fire at 17785 Whitney Road, Chestnut Lake Apartments Building 3.  The first Strongsville Fire unit arrived within five minutes to find heavy smoke and fire blowing out of a sixth floor apartment.  Mutual aid was requested from North Royalton, Middleburg Heights, and Berea because of the scale and severity of the incident.  An initial attack of the fire was performed by Strongsville Fire Department's 95 foot aerial platform, knocking down much of the fire from the elevated master stream.  Other fire crews climbed to the sixth floor and connected attack lines to the building's standpipe system.  Fire crews encountered high heat and low visibility as they advanced down the hallway toward the room of origin to complete fire extinguishment.  Other fireground functions were performed which included search and rescue, ventilation, overhaul and checking for fire extension, and utility control.

The Southwest Emergency Response Team Fire Investigation Unit was called in to conduct an investigation.  It was determined that the fire was caused by a juvenile misusing a ciagarette lighter.  He accidentally caught bedding material on fire and made unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the fire himself.  This delayed notification of building occupants and the fire department.  Because of the delay in notification and no building sprinklers, there was considerable structural damage to building roof above the apartment of origin.  Damages to the building and personal contents are estimated a $ 2,500,000.