Sunday, February 22, 2015

THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY ARE THE MOST FREQUENT VICTIMS OF FIRES: 8-MONTH-OLD BOY DIES IN NORFOLK, VA HOUSE FIRE
















FEBRUARY 14, 2015

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)

Norfolk firefighters found an 8-month-old boy dead inside a burning home on Little Bay Avenue on Willoughby Spit early Saturday morning.

Battalion Chief Julian Williamson says dispatchers received the call just after 6 a.m., and responding units arrived at the duplex five minutes later.

Fire officials tell WAVY.com the young boy’s mother attempted to go back in the home to rescue her son but strong flames and heavy smoke prevented her from entering. Three people were inside the home when the fire started. The two adults made it out safely without injuries.

The child died by the time firefighters reached him in his bedroom, according to Williamson.

“We could see the fire over the trees, not just the smoke,” said Cindy Fann, who lives more than a block away. “I can’t even imagine losing a child or a baby.”
Firefighters worked in below-freezing temperatures and managed to get the fire under control in 40 minutes. Fire investigators remained on scene for more than 10 hours Saturday.

Charred remains surrounded the home Saturday night. The heat of the flames melted off some of the siding on an apartment complex next door.

“I know the guy that lives next to us across the way said the condo shook whenever the flames started this morning,” said Paul Pearson, who was away from his unit when the fire started.

“We do know there were multiple space heaters being utilized inside the home, but we’re looking at all possible causes of this fire,” said Williamson.
Late Saturday night fire investigators still had not determined an official cause of the fire.

We provide the following safety tips for using space heaters:

Electrical Space Heaters Safety Tips

  1. Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heating source and any combustibles
  2. Do not keep or store combustibles materials in closed areas or near a heat source
  3. Never leave a heater on when you go to sleep, and never leave children or pets unattended near heating sources
  4. Only use heaters that have been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories.
  5. Be careful not to overload any electrical circuits