Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Close calls in Tempe, Arizona

I heard from the Tempe Fire Department (home of Arizona State University) that they had two very close calls.

In one fire, two students were severely burned in a fire started in a couch on balcony by smoking materials. Fire was detected, they thought they extinguished it and then two of the residents left. Fire broke out in the night and extended up the exterior. Two victims spent ten days in a burn unit with 2nd degree burns.

Second fire was in a couch on a porch at a house. Victims had to jump to escape the fire.

Alcohol was a factor in both fires.

No sprinkler systems in either fire. Smoke detectors alerted the occupants in the second fire. Smoke detectors were present in the first fire, but it is unknown if they played a role.