Local News

Rash of fires concerns emergency officials

Multiple blazes reported during beginning of year

A rash of fires in the first two months of the year have area firefighters reminding residents of the dangers of overloading electrical systems, using space heaters and the need for smoke detectors.

Within the first eight weeks of the year, the region has recorded four fatal house fires, a dairy barn fire that killed dozens of cattle and a fire that destroyed a business's local facility. In addition, a shed fire killed two pet pigs. Several other barns, including a city chicken coop, were destroyed by flames although no animal deaths were reported.

One home fire damaged the houses on either side of the dwelling and in other cases, homes were damaged by smaller fires, such as flu fires, that resulted in residents being displaced until repairs could be made.

The uptick in fires is a concern for firefighters and other emergency services personnel, who urge area residents to be alert and invest in fire alarms/smoke detectors.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more fires occur in January through March than any other time of the year.

Bedford County has recorded "a few more fires" than normal, said Dave Cubbison, emergency management director in that county, adding that in the colder months, people are using space heaters and other electric heating devices that can create a major fire hazard.

The fire at the Garman Family Farm in Alum Bank, Bedford County, was attributed to an electrical malfunction as a battery charger was being used on a tractor. The fire was devastating to the farm as about 90 head of dairy cattle were killed and a double barn was destroyed.

The Cambria County barn owner who lost the pet pigs in a fire, said he suspects a heater used in the building was knocked over by high winds.

The first of the four fatal fires happened Jan. 14, when city firefighters were called to a blaze on Second Avenue.

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than three minutes from their station just two blocks away, Altoona Fire Chief Tim Hileman, but the house was largely in flames.

Firefighters attempted to rescue Penny Hatch, 60, but were unable to fight through raging flames, he said.

Just two weeks later, on Jan. 30, Martin Williams, 77, died of smoke inhalation and was found near the doorway of his Waites Lane home, according to Blair County Coroner Patricia Ross. Williams' dog was also killed in the blaze.

At the time, Sinking Valley Assistant Fire Chief David Miller said firefighters received word of a possible entrapment.

But it was a fast-moving blaze. "We did everything to put the fire out, but it was already collapsed into the basement" when firefighters arrived on scene, Miller said.

"It was a bad fire," Blair County Emergency Services Director Mark Taylor said at the time.

A few days later, on Feb. 2, a Bedford County woman, whose name has yet to be released, was killed in a fire on the 400 block of Fish Hatchery Road, New Paris.

Two weeks later, on Feb. 15, Mark Stuart, 75, died of smoke inhalation in his East Fifth Avenue home, according to Ross.

When firefighters arrived on scene, the second and third floors of the home were fully engulfed, Hileman said.

Firefighters saved one man and two dogs from the home.

Two firefighters were injured fighting the fire, Hileman reported.

Fatal fires are not only devastating for the families, they affect first responders who work hard to save lives, officials said.

Common fire causes

While first responders did not speak of any individual cases, they said the majority of local fires have been caused by overloaded electrical systems.

According to Altoona Fire Department Fire Inspector Justin Smithmyer, electrical systems become overloaded and malfunction whenever people plug supplemental heat systems -- such as space heaters -- in areas where they shouldn't be.

Many fires have been caused by space heaters plugged into a power strip or extension cord.

"If you're going to use a space heater, it has to be plugged into the wall," Smithmyer said. "Otherwise, your house's electrical system is not going to be able to sustain it."

Another leading cause of house fires is a failure to clean or service fuel-burning heating equipment, according to the NFPA.

Smithmyer said furnaces, chimneys and building electrical equipment should be inspected by a licensed professional each year.

Smoke detectors work

One of the most effective -- and also easiest -- forms of fire safety is a smoke detector.

"Unfortunately with the recent fatal fires we've had, it is difficult to tell if their smoke alarms were working or not," Smithmyer said. "A properly functioning smoke detector will give you plenty of notice and plenty of time to safely exit the building."

Smithmyer said a smoke detector should be placed on each floor of the house, including in the basement and attic, and there should be a smoke detector in each bedroom.

City residents who own their property and need smoke detectors can contact the Altoona Fire Department to see if they qualify for free smoke alarms, he said.

All rental owners are required to install smoke detectors on their property, and anyone who rents property that does not have a smoke detector should contact the Altoona Code and Inspections Department, Smithmyer said.

In addition, Cubbison said every household should create a plan in case a fire does occur. The plan should designate a special meeting place outside, he said. Plan to find two ways out of every room in the house, he added.

Keeping bedroom and other household doors closed at night can also save lives.

Smithmyer said a closed door helped stop the spread of flames during a Feb. 14 fire on the 500 block of Kissell Avenue.

"Close before you doze" is a slogan residents should remember, firefighters said.

"Any door, even the cheapest door that you can buy, can still withstand a good bit of fire," Smithmyer said. "Before you go to bed, close your bedroom doors. It can really make a difference."

Cubbison said that anyone with questions or concerns about possible fire dangers in their home should contact their local fire department.

Firefighters "can come and give you recommendations. They won't come and look for compliance; rather, they would be there to help you," Cubbison said.

He also added that residents should never hesitate to call 911.