NFPA Journal - September/October 2013 - (Page 60)

2012 CATASTROPHIC MULTIPLE-DEATH FIRES July, 1:41 a.m., 5 (3 under age 6) Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type This was a three-story, six-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction. The floor area was not reported. Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices The building had no automatic detection or suppression systems. Fire Origin and Path A fire of undetermined cause broke out on the second-story of a vacant three-story, six-unit apartment building of unprotected wood-frame construction, and spread to an occupied building of similar construction, where the victims lived. Contributing Factors and Victim Locations No information was reported. Maryland Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths October, 1:58 a.m., 5 (3 under age 6) Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type This was a two-story, single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction that covered 1,224 square feet (114 square meters). Smoke Alarm and Other Protection Devices There were no smoke alarms or automatic suppression equipment. Fire Origin and Path Heat from the furnace ignited paper products in the basement near the furnace. The fire then spread to the furnace and the rest of the basement before spreading up a stairway to the first and second floors. Contributing Factors and Victim Locations At the time of the fire, this house was occupied by nine or 10 people, five of whom died. The five victims were all found on the second story, four in a bedroom and one just outside the bedroom door. One resident was injured when he jumped from a second-story window after being burned. Three firefighters were also injured. Missouri Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths November, 3:20 a.m., 5 Number of Stories, Occupancy Type, Construction Type This was a two-story, eight-unit apartment building of unprotected ordinary construction that covered 3,645 square feet (339 square meters). 60 NFPA JOURNAL SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 were involved in six separate crashes that claimed 11 lives. A wildfire had started near the highway at approximately 2:35 p.m. At 11:50 p.m., the highway patrol received the first call reporting that visibility on the highway had dropped to zero as a result of smoke from the wildfire and that a crash had occurred. Four minutes after that call, there was another crash, this one involving a semi-truck and several sport utility vehicles. Shortly afterward, the highway patrol closed the interstate in both directions. The highway was reopened when visibility improved at 3:26 a.m. At 4 a.m., however, a highway maintenance worker called the highway patrol to report more thick smoke and fog, saying he could hear crashes occurring behind him. A trooper confirmed that visibility was less than 3 feet (1 meter) about nine minutes later. In all, the six crashes killed 11 motorists, many of whom were trapped in burning vehicles. Photograph: AP/Wide World

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - September/October 2013

NFPA Journal - September/October 2013
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Heads Up
Research
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Cover Story: Furniture Flamability
Special Report
NFPA Reports
NFPA Reports
Fire Analysis + Research
Section Spotlight
What’s Hot
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - September/October 2013