On Wednesday October 16th at 00:23 am, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Rum Runner Road. The fire was called in to 911 by the residents after they were awoken by their smoke detectors. The first arriving fire officer found smoke throughout the area of the house farthest from their bedroom. The homeowner states that while evacuating the structure, they noticed 2-foot flames coming from the crawl space just outside the door, they took a garden hose and extinguished the exterior fire and put the hose into the vent, knocking down the flames. The first arriving engine pulled a hose and tried to make access into the crawl space, but it was determined to be too dangerous due to low clearance and smoke, so they backed out. Crews then entered the house and began cutting through the flooring which included 1 inch of a gypsum concrete radiant heat flooring system on top of a plywood sub floor. They then had to cut a floor joist to gain access. Fire had spread through the crawl space about 6 feet in every direction from the source and melted all of the electrical, phone, internet, and plumbing lines. The fire was quickly extinguished, and fire crews remained on scene for a few hours to apply water to hot spots and ensure no flare ups. This fire was difficult due to having limited access to the area that only allowed one firefighter at a time to gain access. Lopez Fire and EMS was assisted by OPALCO.
Lopez Fire and EMS investigated in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and determined the cause to be an electrical transformer that feeds the low voltage lights for the yard.
The room closest to the fire and its contents suffered smoke damage. No residents were injured, one firefighter experienced over-exertion and had to be evaluated and treated on scene by EMS, but did not require transport to the hospital.
This is a good example of how having working smoke detectors in your home can save lives, reduce the chance for injuries, and decrease home damage in the case of a fire.
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