|
This report is a summary of the recorded fire calls for the
LHVFD that I have found. Prior to 1995, there are very few
documented fire calls in the archives. Since 1995, much more
complete records were found.
We are very fortunate through the years to have experienced
relatively few serious fires or related emergencies; however, it is
incumbent on the Fire Dept. officers and members to maintain a high
level of readiness and not be complacent.
We have had two total loss structural fires in recent
history:
1. A house on Cactus Drive burned to the ground on Oct.
31, 1997. Hot fireplace ashes
had been dumped near dry lumber stored beneath a second floor deck.
The lumber caught fire which extended to the plastic propane gas
line that entered the house. The heat melted the line, which
resulted in a fire blast impinging on the log exterior of the
house. By the time the first Fire Dept. units arrived on scene, the
fire was completely out-of-control. With the mutual aid support of
the Montrose Fire Dept. and the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Dept., the
fire damage was limited to the house - there was no extension of the
fire to surrounding buildings or other property. The house was
subsequently rebuilt.
2. A house on Wisteria Drive burned to the ground on
December 16/17, 2003. The source of the fire apparently was
overheated electronic equipment in the basement. No one was home at
the time - by the time it was discovered and called in, it was
out-of-control. With mutual aid support of the Montrose Fire Dept.
and The Ridgway Volunteer Fire Dept. the fire damage was limited to
the house - there was no extension of the fire to surrounding
buildings or other property. The house was subsequently rebuilt.
We have had two serious loss structural fires in recent
history:
1. A house on County Road #1C suffered severe fire, smoke
and water damage due to an overheated electrical source. No one was
home at the time - a next-door neighbor discovered the fire and
reported it. With mutual aid support from the Montrose Fire Dept.,
the fire was extinguished and many of the household furnishings were
saved. The house was subsequently restored.
2. A house on Sage Brush suffered severe fire, smoke and
water damage due to an overheated electrical source. No one was
home at the time - a nearby neighbor discovered the fire and
reported it. With mutual aid support from the Montrose Fire Dept.,
the fire was extinguished and many of the household furnishings were
saved. The house was subsequently restored. |
