The Fire Department’s smoke alarm program continues to save lives, the most recent being the life of a North Danville resident.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, the Danville Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 159 Greenwich Ave. A neighbor placed the call into the 9-1-1 center and reported hearing the smoke alarms in the house next door and noticing the smell of smoke.
The fire department arrived and found the house full of smoke. Firefighters were able to alert the occupant, who was still asleep in the house. The fire started in some unattended cooking and firefighters quickly doused the flames.
Assistant Fire Marshal Richie Guill believes the combination of the neighbor’s actions and the smoke alarms installed by the fire department saved the homeowner.
The Danville Fire Department began its smoke alarm program in October of 1999, providing the devices and installing them for residents who cannot afford them. This program has been credited with saving 27 homes and 73 people since it began.