Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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| WHILE A FIRE at Clear Creek Meadows apartments didn’t appear to cause much damage, it did displace two families, forcing the families to move into different apartments. – Photo by ADRIENNE DALE |
News editor - Heavy storms and lightning Wednesday evening caused a structure fire at Clear Creek Meadows.
The fire was contained to one apartment with damage extending to a neighboring apartment.
“If it hadn’t been for the sprinkler system they had in place, that fire could have been worse,” Fire Inspector Johnny Caraway said. “By the time we got there, the fire was pretty much contained by the sprinklers.”
The fire department responded to the fire at 6:02 p.m. on Wednesday with two engines, three ambulances, Fire Chief Dennis Haas, a training officer, the shift commander and the Fort Hood fire department ladder truck.
The fire started when lightning struck the top of the roof of a building, causing an electrical surge, which then started a fire in one bedroom and another in the attic.
“We had several respond to the fire,” Caraway said. “The fast response and the sprinklers is what kept the fire contained to the bedroom and the attic.”
Total damage is estimated to be at $10,000. Also affected by the fire was a neighboring apartment that suffered water damage from the sprinkler system.
“Luckily we didn’t have anyone injured,” Caraway said. “We did have a mother and three children in the apartment at the time of the fire, but they heard the smoke alarm and noticed smoke coming out from the bedroom.”
Caraway noted that both families of the damaged apartments were referred to the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team.
The last unit left the scene at 8:43 p.m.
“It took us about fifteen minutes to get the fire put out and under control,” Lieutenant Fred MacDonald said. “The sprinkler system really did its job.”
The last structure fire caused by lightning was reported on June 1, when a garage had been hit
Caraway said he couldn’t recall of the last time a fire caused by lightning had displaced any families.
“I do remember that while we were out at a fire that broke out when lightning struck the circuit box, we had a firefighter indirectly hit,” Caraway said. “But other than that, I can’t recall any other injuries from this type of fire.”
The structure fire was only one of many calls to the Red Cross.
“Although this was not our worst day in regard to total cases or cost, it ranks in the top 10. The damage was minor for the residents of the apartment complex and many of them will be able to return to their apartments in the near future. Caseworkers will be following up with the families of the flash flood and the two structure fires this week,” said Matthew Wright, CEO of Disaster Action Teams.
Final cost estimates were not available for the operation, but officials believe the cost to be proportionate to the level of damage. Red Cross workers met on July 8 to evaluate the response and make recommendations for improvements.
“The scenario of multiple incidents occurring in the jurisdiction illustrates the need for the Red Cross to have volunteers in each of our local communities. It also illustrates the importance of donors, the community and our corporate donors coming together and providing funding for the total jurisdiction, not just their local neighborhood,” Volunteer Coordinator Guy Orr said.