Early Morning Fire Claims One Victim
Media Coverage:
NWF Daily News Online Article
High Resolution Media Photos
Elaine Ave. Incident Photos
Press Release Download:
Elaine Ave. Press Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1st, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1st, 2009
Contact: OCWFD, Public Information Officer
Contact Person: Capt. Ryan Christen
Company Name: Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District
Telephone Number: 850-862-1185
Email Address:
rgchristen@ocwfcd.org
Web site address:
http://www.ocwfcd.org
Early Morning Fire Claims One Victim
Just before 5:00 A.M., Thursday October 1st, firefighters in South
Okaloosa County were dispatched to a reported house fire at 207 NW Elaine Ave.
The initial 911 call came in from a neighbor who reported seeing heavy fire and
smoke. The neighbor advised that they could not remain on the phone since they
needed to evacuate their own house as well. Initial information also indicated
that there may be people trapped inside the fire building. Engine companies
responding to the scene reported that they were able to see the smoke and flames
from several blocks away.
Ocean City-Wright Fire District, Engine Three, was the first unit to arrive. Engine Three was on scene within minutes of being dispatched. Captain Ryan Christen on Engine Three reported the structure to be “Fully Involved” with several vehicles also burning in the front. The fire had already burned through the roof and flames were extending thirty feet into the air above the house. Engine Three immediately began attacking the fire. Immediately behind Engine Three was Mary Esther Engine Eleven, followed seconds later by Fort Walton Beach Truck Six. Hurlburt AFB Fire Department, and Ocean City-Wright Tower One also responded to the initial call.
Firefighters were able to quickly enter the back of the residence and perform a rapid search of one room that had not yet become involved with fire. Shortly after entering the structure the roof began to collapse and the fire fighters had to evacuate the residence. Crews battled the flames for over an hour before they were able to finally go back into the structure to complete a search.
Family members had arrived on scene and advised command that they believed one person was inside at the time of the fire. When crews re-entered the structure they performed a thorough search and located one victim. The identity of the victim is not being released at the time of this press release.
The structure, 2,800 square feet was a total loss including all contents. Dollar loss estimates will released when available. At the time of this press release crews were still on scene performing overhaul. Fire overhaul is a systematic approach to ensure all hot spots are extinguished and that the fire is completely extinguished. Due to the roof collapse and extent of fire damage the overhaul process is expected to continue for several more hours.
This was a significant fire. Heavy involvement upon arrival made it difficult to enter and search the structure. Additional units were called to the scene, and in total there were companies from five separate fire departments operating on scene. A total of six Engine Companies, Two Ladder Trucks, a Rescue, and multiple Chiefs worked to bring the blaze under control.
This was a challenging fire that required a team effort from multiple agencies. The crews on scene worked very hard to knock back the flames and enter the residence. Our Department is very proud of the efforts of all who responded this fire. We received assistance from several neighboring Departments, Mary Esther, Fort Walton, Hurlburt, and Okaloosa Island. A fire of this size requires a lot of fire fighters and apparatus. Everyone did everything they could to extinguish the fire, and enter the structure to try to save any occupants.
The Florida State Fire Marshall was called to the scene early Thursday morning and at the time of this press release is conducting an investigation. No details as to the cause of the fire are available at this time.
No other structures were damaged during the fire. There was one confirmed fatality inside the residence. No one else was injured, and no fire fighters were hurt battling the fire.
Additional details will be provided as available. Photos of the event, taken by off duty Captain Chris Brown from the Ocean City-Wright Fire District are available online at www.ocwfcd.org.
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(Press Release is finished)
For additional information, Contact:
Capt. Ryan Christen
OCW Public Information Officer
rgchristen@ocwfcd.org