Fire in GI Does about 50 Thousand Dollars Damage

Yesterday at 15:33 hrs, GIFD was alerted to 713 Hedde St. for a reported structure fire in a quadplex home. All units were in service, and the following units responded:   E1, E2, A2, R3, L4, and B1.  This constitutes a full first alarm for GIFD.

Dispatch information, while responding, stated that occupants in 713 were out of the structure, but some pets were still inside. Upon arrival, crews were told that an elderly gentleman was still inside one of the attached apartments, unable to get out on his own.

E2 was first on scene reporting fire from the garage and a fully involved vehicle parked in the driveway. Smoke was coming from the eaves of all 4 attached units. Their first actions were to perform a quick attack on the fire to extinguish and gain control of the incident.  The fire had consumed the vehicle parked in the driveway up against the garage door, and a car parked inside the garage. The entire garage, and the front of the neighboring attached garage were damaged by the fire. Due to the quick actions of personnel first on scene and the remaining crews arriving within minutes to supply water, rescue occupants still inside the attached home, crews were able to extinguish the fire and prevent it from burning all four connected homes. No one was injured in the fire and all animals were rescued.

A special thanks to the Grand Island Red Cross, which was on the scene within minutes of being called by the on-scene Battalion Chief. They assisted everyone affected by the damage to their homes. The building owner also responded to help secure the homes and ensure his tenants were adequately cared for.

Due to the quick response, fire damage was limited and is estimated to be approximately $50,000.00. The value of the homes saved was estimated to be nearly a million dollars for the residence and adjoining homes.

Grand Island Fire Department wants to remind everyone to ensure their smoke detectors are in working order. With daylight savings approaching this weekend, this is the perfect time to change out your smoke detector batteries. Change your clock, change your batteries.