03/28/2024
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STRUCTURE FIRE  –  May, 14 2015  –  Time 6:57 AM

 The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a reported residential structure fire at 234 Sand Pit Rd. Upon arrival firefighters found heavy fire showing from the rear of single family dwelling. After an initial scene size up by the fire department incident commander, it was determined that an offensive fire attack mode would be used.

No one was home at the time and no civilians were in danger. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and contain the fire damage to the laundry room and kitchen. Firefighters reported the homes smoke detectors had activated and were sounding upon arrival. No injuries were reported.

Fire investigators determined the likely cause of the fire was due to lint build up in the homes dryer vent. The fire investigation pointed to the fire starting in the dryer vent and extended to the exterior of the home and burned its way into the attic space over the laundry room. From there the fire spread to the kitchen where it was extinguished by fire department personnel. Damage to the home was estimated at $30,000.00.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department was assisted by several other automatic aid departments. Thank you to members from White Lake, Ammon, White Oak fire departments as well as Bladen County Emergency Management, Bladen County EMS, and the American Red Cross.

Facts about home clothes dryer fires

• 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
• The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them (34 percent).
• More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department was established in 1930, has 5 full time firefighters and 32 volunteers from the Elizabethtown area. The fire department covers approximately 5 square miles in the town fire district and 10 square miles in the county fire district. The fire department responds to approximately 1200 calls for fire, EMS, and rescue services per year. The Elizabethtown Fire Department shares automatic aid agreements with all fire departments from Bladen County including; White Lake, Ammon, White Oak, Dublin, Clarkton, Bladenboro, Lisbon, and Carvers Creek.

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