CH411, CH412, E419, E413, T417, G412, G414 were dispatched at 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon to West Lakeview Drive in Pike Township on the report of a chimney fire. While units were enroute, further information was given that the fire was in the wall behind the chimney and additional resources were requested.
The homeowner that initially smelled and saw smoke in the living room, went outside, finding flames behind the chimney. She attempted to make rescue of the family cat from upstairs but was pushed back by thick black smoke.
Mutual-aid from Worthington Township (Richland County), College Township, and the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District in the form of tankers and engines. A medic from Fredericktown EMS was also requested.
The first unit arriving to the scene found fire coming out of the living room window and marked it a working structure fire. The crew of E413 stretched 1 3/4 “ attack lines and made the initial attack on the fire in the first floor. Crews found heavy contents and a structure was well involved. The crew of E419 went to work also stretching a line to the second floor with other incoming crews to knock the fire down. Firefighters rotated out due to the cold and amount of overhaul work that needed completed to ensure the fire was extinguished.
Water supply operations were setup at a nearby dry hydrant. In total an estimated 6500 gallons of were used. The interior of the residence is a total loss. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.
The FCFD had a total of 19 firefighters and three fire cadets respond to this call. There were no injuries to occupants or firefighters, however a family cat did not survive.
All FCFD units were back in quarters by 7:31pm. Crews responded back to the residence later in the evening at a request to check for a re-kindle with nothing found. Firefighters assisted the homeowner with delivering water to them.
