Firefighters Canvass Area of Recent Fatal Fire
September 3, 2008
WHAT: HFD Firefighters will promote fire safety and prevention in the area of
a recent fatal fire.
WHEN: Today, September 3, 2008 starting at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Firefighters will meet at Fire Station 51, 6902 Bellaire and then canvass the neighborhood around the 8600 block of Braewick (Key Map 530R).
DETAILS: Houston firefighters were dispatched to a house fire about 1 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2008 in the 8600 block of Braewick in southwest Houston. Firefighters found a victim, deceased inside the house. Neighborhood Protection was called to the scene and determined that the house be demolished. Houston arson investigators are currently investigating the incident.
In an effort to prevent such tragedies and to encourage fire safety, members of the HFD will be distributing safety information and smoke alarms in the neighborhood.
When it comes to smoke alarms, silence can be deadly. National and local statistics
reflect this deadly silence with more than 50 percent of all residential fatal fires not
having a working smoke alarm.
The Houston Fire Department reminds citizens that when they set their clocks back
this weekend, to check the batteries in their smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms
nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Changing smoke detector
batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce
these tragic deaths and injuries due to no smoke alarm or a non—working smoke
alarm.
“Working smoke detectors provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape,” said Captain Beda Kent, HFD Public Affairs. “This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors.”
Non-working smoke detectors rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of nonworking smoke detectors is worn or missing batteries.
Citizens who cannot afford or otherwise install a working smoke alarm in their homes (renters - landlords should install a smoke alarm) may visit their local Houston Fire Station for a smoke alarm, call the HFD Public Affairs Office at 713-495-7900.
