Temple Firefighters Battle Two Residential Fires Saturday

(TEMPLE FIRE AND RESCUE RELEASE-THOMAS PECHAL)

Temple Fire & Rescue responded to two residential fires Saturday afternoon in less than three hours.

The first call was dispatched at 2:23 p.m. to the 900 Block of Ticonderoga. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming out of an upstairs apartment. The fire which started when a heat lamp fell on the floor was quickly extinguished. Fire damage was limited to the wood subfloor of the apartment.

The resident was not home at the time of the fire. Temple Animal Control was contacted to provide temporary lodging for one cat, three dogs, two ferrets, and one snake which were in the apartment. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide temporary lodging for the displaced resident.

Four Engine Companies, one Quint Company, one ladder Truck Company, one Booster Truck crew, one Fire Incident Commander; a total of 20 Temple Fire & Rescue personnel responded. The first unit arrived at 2:28 p.m., fire under control was given at 2:52 p.m., and the last unit cleared at 3:48 p.m.

Temple Police, Scott & White EMS and the American Red Cross responded to the call.

At 5:10 p.m., the second call sent units to the Bluffs Apartments at 4102 West Adams. The first Engine Company reported heavy smoke coming from an upstairs apartment. A quick size up by firefighters determined the fire had spread into an exterior wall and common attic area of the apartment.

Due to the potential for fire to spread through the attic and into other apartments, the Fire Incident Commander requested a second alarm assignment, which responded two additional Engine Companies. This committed a total of five Engine Companies, one Quint Company, one Ladder Truck Company, one Booster Truck crew, one Fire Incident Commander, one Fire Investigator, and one support person; a total of 25 Temple Fire & Rescue personnel to the fire.

Due to aggressive efforts by firefighters, fire damage was limited to two apartments along with the roof. A number of apartments received smoke damage. Because of damaged electrical wiring in the attic, a total of eight apartments are without power and twelve adults are displaced. The American Red Cross responded to determine immediate needs. Apartment management is working to provide accommodations to the affected residents

The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire. A dollar loss to property and contents has not been determined.

The first unit arrived at 5:13 p.m., fire under control was given at 5:49 p.m., and the last unit cleared at 8:13 p.m. Temple Police, Scott & White EMS and Oncor Energy also responded.

One Engine Company remained available to respond to calls in the city. Off-duty personnel were called in to staff reserve equipment. Troy Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid with one Engine and personnel and staged at Central Fire Station.