A-Shift firefighters extinguished a multi-family dwelling fire before it could impact neighboring units Friday morning, but it’s all thanks to a 911 caller’s quick thinking and awareness.
South Walton Fire District first arrived on-scene in the area of Sandestin Boulevard North around 11:30 a.m. after a 911 caller noticed signs of a potential fire in a neighboring unit. The caller reported entering their apartment to hear sounds of glass breaking, an audible smoke alarm, and light smoke coming from the unit above.
Signs of fire weren’t immediately visible from the outside of the structure when Station 4 firefighters arrived on-scene. In their investigation of the building, they found melted blinds and a broken window with signs of a potential fire in the reported unit’s kitchen area. They forced entry into the unit and extinguished the fire, which was primarily near the oven and stovetop.
The unit was unoccupied when the fire started. It’s because of the 911 caller’s early activation of our firefighters, and the quick work of our crews, that the fire did not grow to impact the neighbors.
Kitchen fires are unfortunately common and can impact anyone at anytime. A few safety precautions from our crews for our residents and visitors include:
•Keep stovetops clear by never storing items on top of the stove.
•Avoid placing flammable objects like towels or kitchen utensils near the stove when cooking is in progress.
•Carefully monitor food when it’s cooking on the stove or in the oven.
•For households with small children and pets, keep them at least three feet away from the stovetop and any other cooking appliances.
•If a fire begins in the oven, turn the oven off and keep the door closed, which will allow the fire to smother itself out.
•Ensure your home’s smoke alarms are working properly by pressing the “test” button. If the alarm sounds, then the alarm is functional. If not, the alarm may need new batteries.
SWFD’s Fire and Life Safety Division manages a Free Smoke Alarm Program for South Walton households in need smoke alarms. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more!
