The Danville Fire Department responded to a possible chimney fire on Kent Street this morning. Units arrived at 1172 Kent Street to find a small 1-story house with moderate smoke showing from the roof area. Engine 7's crew entered the house with light smoke conditions inside. An occupant was still inside trying to put the fire out. He had extinguished some of the visible fire in a wall. He was ushered to the outside and we confirmed no one else was still in the house. The fire in the wall was in the area of the chimney. DFD units opened a larger hole in the wall and found building materials smoldering. The remainder of the fire was extinguished. More interior wall covering was removed to confirm the fire had not spread.
The fire started with a short behind an electrical outlet and not from the chimney. The electricity to the house was turned off until the owner can have repairs made. The occupants plan on staying at the house.
The DFD arrived at 8:35 am and stayed on scene until 10:11 am. Three engines, one ladder, one tender, and four support vehicles responded. 19 fire personnel were on scene. Damage to the house was limited to one room and the exterior wall at that room.
While the DFD appreciates the occupant working to control the fire (and doing a good job), we recommend everyone evacuate any structure on fire and call 911 once outside. Always have a meeting place outside to insure everyone exited the building. There were no injuries at this fire.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief
