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Incident number: 9195818 Date: Aug. 21, 2009 Time of call: 12:06 a.m.
Type of call: Garage Fire
Correct address: 7817 Oakpoint Lane (Buffalo and Alta drives) CLV Ward: 2
Name: Elan Condominiums
Zip: 89145 District/Phantom: 2417-77 Number of alarms: One
Building type: Single Family Townhouse Number of stories: One
Construction type: Wood Frame/Stucco Smoke alarms: Unknown Sprinklers: No
Number of occupants: Adults: One Teens (18-13): None Children: None
Any injuries: No How many: Type:
Cause of fire: Accidental, combustible items stored too close to water heater in garage.
Damage estimate: $20,000 Description of damage: Attached garage was completely gutted and one vehicle parked inside the garage was destroyed. No damage to the living area of the home or to any other units in the complex.
American Red Cross: No Pets: None Status of pets:
General information about the incident: No one was home when the fire occurred. The owner/occupant is staying with relatives out of state. Neighbors told fire investigators that they were asleep and heard a loud boom which woke them. Other people then started banging on their front door (next door neighbors) and told them the condo next door was on fire. When the occupants left their condo, they noticed flames coming out around the closed garage door next door. When units arrived on scene, the garage was fully involved. Firefighters had the fire out in less than 15 minutes and confined the fire to the garage. Fire investigators believe the fire started at the water heater in the garage, several combustible items were found next to water heater including aerosol cans, a vehicle battery and other items. They ruled the fire accidental.
Garage fires are common in Southern Nevada especially during the summer. The interior of the garage can get very hot, especially on a day when it is very hot like Thursday when an excessive heat warning was issued. Items such as batteries, paints, thinners and fuels can give off fumes especially on hot days and they can be ignited by the natural gas water heater if they are next to it. Also any combustible items such as storage boxes, wood, clothing and rags can catch fire if they are kept too close to a water heater. All items, especially anything that can burn, should be kept at least 36 inches from the water heater or any other heat producing appliances.
Refrigerator and freezer fires in the garage are also common during the summer especially on a very hot day. As the appliance works extra hard to keep the items cold inside (the garage may be 20-40 degrees hotter than the inside of the home) the compressor on the appliance gets extremely hot and if anything combustible such as paper, dirt, dust or rags come in contact with the compressor, they can catch fire. Keeping the area clean around the appliance, setting the thermostat high on the inside of the refrigerator or freezer and keeping the door closed as much as possible will help to prevent the compressor from working extra hard.
UNITS RESPONDED: E2,44,6,42, T6, R2, HR44, AR1, B10,4, PIO1, 6i4, 6i6, 6i9
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