Two house fires reported in the SGV

Two unrelated housefired in Montebello and West Covina were reported Thursday evening. The Montebello fire gutted a home and sent a firefighter and a resident to the hospital, while the West Covina blaze caused much less damage and resulted in no injuries. Despite the fact that these fires occurred on July 2, officials did not believe fireworks were to blame in either blaze. Here’s the stories:

MONTBELLO — A fire gutted a home and sent two people, including a firefighter, to the hospital Thursday, authorities said.
The blaze was reported about 6 p.m. at a house in the 1700 block of Colegrove Avenue, Montebello Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Collinge said.
A firefighter was hospitalized with minor burns, and an elderly resident of the home was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, he said. Another resident of the home was treated at the scene for an unknown medical condition.
Four adults and two children who lived at the home were displaced, he said. They were home when the fire ignited.
Firefighters found the home “well-involved” with fire when they arrived and extinguished the flames in about 30 minutes, Collinge said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available late Thursday, however the battalion chief said the 1,800-square-foot home appeared “thoroughly gutted.”
A cause of the blaze remained under investigation, he added, however it did not initially appear that fireworks were involved.

WEST COVINA — A fire caused about $20,000 in damage to a house Thursday, officials said.
The blaze was reported about 6:20 p.m. in the 300 block of North Orange Avenue, West Covina Fire Department Capt. Esteban Rodriguez said.
About 18 firefighters doused the fire in about 15 minutes, he added.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, he said, but it preliminarily appeared the fire was electrical in nature, the captain said.
The fire was largely confined to the living room portion of the home, he added.
No one was injured in the fire, Rodriguez said, though seven residents, including children, were displaced.
They residents went to stay with family members, he said.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

7 thoughts on “Two house fires reported in the SGV

  1. The number of electrical fires that take place in homes and buildings continue to grow. There are now fire-prevention outlets that have been created which are able to detect abnormal temperatures from within the electrical circuit, with it’s multiple sensors. Once this abnormal heat has been detected, this fire-prevention outlet is able to shut down the electrical circuit and prevents an electrical fire from occurring. With this outlet lives, homes, and properties can be saved.

  2. Dear reporter,

    Your story about fires which are electrical in nature are of vital importance to the public. Unfortunately many such electrical fires are occurring across the U.S. with alarming frequency. The numbers are sobering. Every year there are 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses caused by electrical wiring problems.* It is no wonder that Americans are more concerned about fire than any other home disaster.**

    Remarkably, given the number of catastrophic fires in the U.S., little has been done in the last 25 years to upgrade typical wall outlets so they can detect abnormal heating before a fires start. The only outlet capable of doing so is the BSafe outlet, a product of BSafe Electrix that incorporates TFCI thermal cut-off technology, which senses abnormal temperature at each plug outlet and wiring screw terminal and shuts off electrical power to the outlet when overheating occurs thereby preventing electrical outlet fires. BSafe will soon find its place as the standard in homes, education, hospital and commercial construction.

    On the market since January, the BSafe outlet is available today at http://www.FireSafeOutlets.com.

    I have included some facts and fire safety tips below, if an article about fire safety is on your editorial calendar. And Id be happy to speak with you personally if you would be interested in learning more about the revolutionary BSafe outlet, awareness of which can have a profound impact on the number of fires in your region. You can reach me at 1-877-272-3350 or email me at info@bsafeelectrix.com

    Sincerely yours,

    Michael Strauss

    CEO

    BSafe Electrix

    http://www.FireSafeOutlets.com

    * Source: 2006 U.S. Fire Administration Update
    ** Source: 2006 Fire Safety Census conducted by Liberty Mutual and the International Association of Fire Fighters

    Facts about Electrical Fires:

    More Americans die in home fires each year than in all natural disasters combined

    Children under five are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the rest of the population

    In an average year, there are 1,500 U.S. dormitory, fraternity house, and sorority house fires causing 75 deaths and injuries and $9.1 million in property losses

    Studies indicate a disproportionate number of home electrical fires occur in structures 40 or more years old

    Most electrical fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires

    In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires

    December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use.

    Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom

    FIRE SAFETY TIPS

    From the US Fire Administration:

    Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring: Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
    Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
    If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
    Never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
    Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets.
    Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.
    Install smoke alarms, either self-contained or as part of a system, outside bedrooms and on EVERY LEVEL OF THE HOME. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, you should add a smoke alarm in the bedroom
    Test and maintain your alarms as if your life depends on it. IT DOES!
    Make sure everyone can clearly hear the sound of your smoke alarms from their bedrooms.
    Make an escape plan with two ways out of every room and practice it with your family.
    From the National Fire Protection Association:

    A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.
    People who live in homes that are more than 10 years old should consider having the wiring inspected. Be sure to consult with your local building inspector before making repairs.
    Know emergency phone numbers for your area. In most places it is 911. Post the number near each telephone. Teach children the emergency number.
    From BSafe

    Replace allof your electrical outlets with the ONLY outlet that can prevent an outlet electrical fire. You can find the BSafe TFCI outlet at http://www.FireSafeOutlets.com

  3. Both stories are horrible and everyone involved is extremely lucky to be alive. There are 67,8000 fires, 485 deaths and $868 million dollars in property losses every year due to electrical wiring problems. This carelessness needs to be prevented. I’ve been researching this topic and came across a company that I feel is taking the necessary precautions in preventing electrical fires.
    http://www.bsafeelectrix.com/?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=pv&utm_content=dr&utm_campaign=fire

  4. Both stories are horrible and everyone involved is extremely lucky to be alive. There are 67,8000 fires, 485 deaths and $868 million dollars in property losses every year due to electrical wiring problems. This carelessness needs to be prevented. I’ve been researching this topic and came across a company that I feel is taking the necessary precautions in preventing electrical fires.
    http://www.bsafeelectrix.com/?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=pv&utm_content=dr&utm_campaign=fire

  5. Electric fires are quite common these days. So, it is very important to do your house electrical wiring in a proper manner by an expert licensed electrician.

Comments are closed.