See our coverage of the firings over the January 24 fatal fire in DeKalb County
I am sure recall the recent problems with a fire response in DeKalb County, Georgia that left a woman dead and the chief and five of his employees without jobs. An alert STATter911.com reader pointed out this fire on Wednesday morning that has caught the attention of WSB-TV. Here is what is posted on the TV station’s website:
Firefighters told Channel 2 Action News they went to the home on Magnolia Trace in Stone Mountain three times in 24 hours.
They believe the first fire started near a clothes dryer.
Crews put out that fire and then went back a second time to put out hot spots.
Then another fire broke out in the attic, according to Fire Department officials.
”Roughly 2-3 hours later we responded back to flames through the roof,” said Capt. Eric Jackson of the DeKalb County Fire Department.
No one was at the home when that final fire started.
Also on STATter911 …
- Helmet-cam: House fire in Durham, North Carolina. – February 9, 2011
- Must see video: Mom lowers toddler by harness from Stone Mountain, Georgia apartment fire after dropping infant into arms of neighbors. – October 28, 2011
- Another shake up in DeKalb County, Georgia. Demotions & a retirement as ice storm drinking probe wraps up. – February 16, 2011
- Intruder spends the night at San Francisco firehouse. Man found in female firefighter’s clothes inside Station 19. – January 12, 2011
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I wonder if the guy with the small stream putting water in the upper window was ever trained or is it a civilian in fire gear? I guess he/she didn’t notice the roof steaming next door. Maybe he/she never learned about covering exposures FIRST.
DeKalb better get someone in there who can get that department on the right track.
Damn rekindles!!! I would be lying if I said that has never happened in my career.
It comes down to good overhaul and salvage. If we did that right the first time, we limit the chances of coming back to see fire through the roof.
This is were the co.officer is responsible for ensuring ANY AND ALL potential hot spots are put out.
Good luck Dekalb!
The fire service needs to stand up and back the men and women of the Dekalb County Fire Department. Anyone who has been in the service for a while, has experienced a re-kindle. Although they are not that common, they do happen even if you have done everything you can. More importantly, these men and women are putting their lives on the line every day they show up for work. I would venture to say that the majority of Dekalb Fire are great firefighters and dedicated to protecting the citizens. We all need to stand up and support them during these trying times. Do not forget that this could be any one of our departments tomorrow. It is time we stand up and support each other. We all talk the talk of the brotherhood. Who will stand up and walk the walk?
Jason Lanyon
Not only covering exposures, they never learned how to put the fire out the first time.
There is no such thing as a rekindle.
For the THOUSANDTH TIME … “BIG FIRE = BIG WATER” A minimum of a 2.5″ line into the main body of fire, a portable ground monitor (500 GPM) is even better. Remember, the faster you knock down the fire, the faster your problems go away. Fast doesn’t = that southern guy ‘barnyard stroll’ being demonstrated by the disinterested group of folks dressed in firefighter outfits in the video.
By the way … in firefighting, attention to detail saves lives as well as property. ALWAYS check the area thoroughly when a caller reports that their home is on fire … this may involve actually getting off the apparatus and walking around, banging on doors, listening, smelling, etc.! AND always do a thorough search for fire extension even if you think you have the fire extinguished. Rule of thumb, open up the fire area bays in walls, floors and ceilings until there is NO evidence of char or live fire.
As Steve Martin told his cast of misfit vollies in the movie “Roxanne”, I have but one dream and that is that if there is a fire, people will actually think that it’s a GOOD idea to call the fire department.” From some of the stories that show up on this website, Steve Martin’s statement was not far fetched.
A rekindle is a fire that was not put out the first time. Period. End of story. Its called overhaul, thermal imaging cameras, pulling walls, and pulling ceilings. Whatever it takes. Yea, it happens, but it is still sloppy work.
its one thing for a rekindle, but when u got back the 1st time to hit hot spots as stated that should be it for a dryer fire i mean come on 3 times???? and for the tactics of fighting it from the video goes to show why they went back 3 times.
Making assumptions from the two recent events DeKalb County needs to check their attitude at the door. The decisions that result in both of these recent incidents are the result of complacency. Complacency will eventually result in the death of one of their own. There is already enough tragedy in this story without adding to it.
Maybe this homeowner was determined to burn their home down that night.Not always the fault of the FD,could it of been,maybe,but I don’t know and neither does anyone else here.
Steam from the exposure was probably from that FF cooling it down right before video began
Everyone is so quick to Monday morning quarterback these videos withut knowing any facts.It does make the comments sound stupid
Let’s see, woman dies when you don’t even get out of the rigs to check the situation. Now a rekindle TWICE on a dryer fire.
Looks like they need a new chief and new command staff to straighten out these basic issues. I’m sure there are very good firefighters, but the people in charge are a total joke. No demotion, just fired.
Does this outfit just seem to be complacent or lazy?
you people probably started it yourself u need the money. Dekalb cant do anything right with citizens like you
I am betting there was some cellulose insulation in that house. Lets see, what happened to that video that the cellulose industry had quashed? Hmmmm rekindles that have embarrassed many departments and most cases they did what they thought was a thorough overhaul.
Rekindles have to be at least as embarrassing for the fire service as leaving a patient at home only to go back three hours later to find them in cardiac arrest is for EMS. Although rekindles don’t get half the press that the EMS equivalent does. Even if someone dies in the rekindle.
Anyone ever think that this could possibly be because some stupid person WANTED to burn down there house. Just because a house catches on fire multiple times doesnt always mean its the fire department.. I mean, there IS a such thing as arson ya know?
These guys are PUTTING their life on the line to save people, and theres still people that will PURPOSEFULLY put these men and women at risk by starting (or restarting) a fire on purpose.
Anyone who is talking bad about a firefighter who RISKS their lives to save others needs to really stop and think about what these men and women sacrifice.