[Bill-n-Brillo]

We were a block away from the home in St. Charles that caught fire on Xmas Eve '09. We saw the smoke and ran over there immediately. 911 had already been called and the fire crews arrived pronto. But the fire was going full-bore. It was simply SHOCKING how fast the place went up in flames. I'd bet it wasn't 10-15 minutes after it started that the fire was going full blast and out of control. Total loss - nobody hurt.

The positive side: When we came down to TV again two months later, the complete rebuild was already well under way!

Bill

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Trogg

Aren't smoke alarms mandatory in TV?

Trogg

I went back and reread the article in today's Daily Sun. The home owner is quoted as saying "And then the alarms started going off"
A previous poster said "I guess they did not have fire alarms". What prompted that conclusion is unknown.
Yes, alarms are required by code.....we all have them.

[skip0358]

I posted earlier. I'm not saying this is what happened but. Several of my neighbors in the summertime leave their attic stairs or trap door open to allow heat to escape. What if there was a fire and that trap was open. No stop at all. 5/8 " fire rated sheet rock will hold a fir out for a short time. But if you leave the trap open it goes to the attic and presto no house left. Did the house that burnt have gas? There was a thunder storm. Was this a lightning strike? I don't know. All that matters is that the people got out and they were awakened by the smoke alarms. The houise can be replaced, the lives cant.Glad your both OK. I have some clothes available if they fit you can have them! God bless!

[eremite06]

Once the fire gets to the gas line in the attic, it burns like a torch. By the time fire crews arrive it's already vented through the roof. This has happened numerous times in the Villages.

[kilowatt]

They did have smoke detectors and that is what woke them up. You could hear them going off for quite a long time.