November 2019 Responses
During the Month of November Savannah Fire Rescue responded to more than 661 incidents including 72 fires, 211 emergency medical service and other incident calls, 53 hazardous condition and explosion calls, 25 public service calls, 62 smoke scare calls and 283 false alarms. Of the 72 fires, 19 were structure fires. Below is a detailed summary of the structure fires and other notable calls for service:
November 30, 2019
5:53 p.m.
Open Area Fire; Savannah State University, LaRoche Ave. & Skidaway Rd.
Savannah Fire responded to an open area fire at Savannah State University. Firefighters extinguished a small fire on a light pole.
November 30, 2019
12:42 p.m.
Gas Leak; Bonefish Grill, 5500 Abercorn St.
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of an outside gas leak at the rear of Bonefish Grill. They checked the gas meter outside the restaurant and found slightly elevated readings. Using a soap and water solution, firefighters discovered the source of the leak at a coupling on the gas meter. They stood by until the gas company arrived to mitigate the issue.
November 30, 2019
11:01 a.m.
Structure Fire, 815 Maupus Ave.
Firefighters discovered a blaze on the exterior of a house. There was no one in the home at the time of the fire. They quickly extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading beyond an outside wall and a small area on the interior. As they were extinguishing the fire, relatives of the homeowner arrived on scene. The elderly homeowner recently died and her relatives were attending her funeral when they heard about the blaze. Investigators determined that the slow smoldering fire was the likely result of an improperly discarded cigarette.
November 30, 2019
1:36 a.m.
Fire out on arrival, 1531 Stratford St.
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a gas smell outside a residential building. Firefighters used meters to check for gas, but no unusual levels were detected. However windows had been broken and there was a charred area near the porch. The residents said they had extinguished what appeared to be an intentionally set fire. The incident was deemed to be vandalism and was turned over to police.
November 29, 2019
6:58 p.m.
Water Search Assistance, Pine Meadow Rd
Savannah Fire was called to assist Pooler Fire with the search for possible victims in a vehicle that was sinking in a body of water at Pine Meadow and Dean Forest roads. Savannah Firefighters from Rescue 1, Engine 3 and Rescue 2 conducted a dive operation. Personnel conducted primary and secondary dives to search for possible victims. None were found. The scene was then turned over to Chatham County Police for vehicle recovery.
November 28, 2019
10:09 p.m.
Vehicle Extrication, E. I-16 & Dean Forest Rd.
Firefighters responded to a single vehicle accident. Two people were injured. One was entrapped. Firefighters removed the entrapped victim and provided patient care. They prepared both patients for transport by EMS, secured the accident scene and mitigated issues with vehicle fluid leaks.
November 28, 2019
11:12 a.m.
Medical Emergency Assistance; Station 15, 1751 Grove Point Rd.
Distressed parents drove up to Station 15 with a 2-year-old child. They said the child bit into a washing detergent pod and swallowed some of the soap inside, prompting the child to vomit. Firefighters called for EMS, checked the child’s vital signs and provided medical assistance until EMS arrived on scene.
November 28, 2019
4:06 a.m.
Vehicle Fire, N. Truman Parkway at President Street
Firefighters responded to the report of a vehicle fire. They discovered a car, the occupants and the backseat on the side of the road. The motorists said they had removed the back seat, which had caught fire because of a faulty wire running beneath it. Firefighters checked for hot spots and used a watering can to completely extinguish the back seat.
November 28, 2019
12:28 a.m.
Carbon Monoxide Leak; Frazier Homes, 604-A Cape St.
Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide alarm at Frazier Homes. The residents showed no symptoms of exposure, but they were removed from the building and a meter was used to check for carbon monoxide. Elevated readings were detected behind a stove t. A small leak was detected in that area. Gas was secured to the structure and fans were used to ventilate the building. The Housing Authority and gas company were notified.
November 27, 2019
2:10 p.m.
Vehicle Fire; Noble Oaks Apartments, Eisenhower & Noble Oaks drives
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire. A motorist crashed into a fence, causing a fire in the engine compartment. Firefighters checked the occupants of the vehicle for injuries and extinguished the blaze.
November 25, 2019
3:01 a.m.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm; Live Oak Plantation Apartments #84, 8505 Waters Ave.
Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide alarm. Using meters they determined that there was a carbon monoxide leak in Apartment 84. Two juveniles were experiencing dizziness and nausea. Firefighters administered oxygen, shut off the gas and ventilated the building. The management and the gas company was notified.
November 24, 2019
9:36 p.m.
Arching/Shorted Electrical Equipment, 2418 E. 40th St.
Firefighters responded to a call about a sparking thermostat. They discovered that when the thermostat temperature was changed the lights dimmed throughout the house, indicating an electrical problem. They checked for elevated electrical heat levels and found none. However, as a precaution they cut the power and instructed the tenant to contact the landlord to have an electrician address the issue.
November 24, 2019
6:44 p.m.
Excessive Heat with no Ignition; Rincon Transmission, 606 Mall Blvd.
Firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire. They arrived at a transmission shop and discovered smoke coming from the bay doors. Because the business was closed they cut the bay doors to gain access to the interior. Inside they found an overheated piece of machinery that was emitting a large amount of smoke. Firefighters cut power to the machine and removed it from the building. The scene was turned over to the owner.
November 24, 2019
4:38 p.m.
Outdoor Gas Leak, 303 Atkinson Ave.
Firefighters were called to an outdoor gas leak at a residence. The homeowner was digging in the back yard and ruptured the gas line. Firefighters stood by until the gas company mitigated the issue.
November 24, 2019
2:20 p.m.
Fire/Animal issue, Ash & 36th streets
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of smoke in the area. Firefighters searched the general area. They could not locate a fire, but they did find a dead cat that appeared to have been set on fire. Savannah Police were informed.
November 24, 2019
7:58 a.m.
Cooking Fire, 2125 Florance Ave.
Units responded to the report of a kitchen fire. They discovered heavy smoke from a cooking fire, which was contained to the stove. Firefighters ventilated the structure, installed a smoke alarm and advised the resident to contact the landlord to have the other smoke alarms in the home replaced.
November 23, 2019
9:51 p.m.
EMS Assistance; Amtrak, 2611 Seaboard Coastline Dr.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Amtrak station to safely lift an ill man off the train so he could be transported by EMS.
November 22, 2019
8:30 p.m.
Gasoline Spill; International Paper, 1201 W. Lathrop Ave.
Firefighters responded to a vehicle accident and diesel fuel leak at International paper. They discovered that a train had collided with a tractor trailer, causing a tear in the saddle tank and a diesel fuel leak into a canal, which was self-contained inside the plant. The plant manager had set a boon in the canal to contain the fuel. Firefighters built an earthen dam to prevent runoff from reaching the canal. An environmental clean-up crew was called to the scene to mitigate the issue.
November 22, 2019
12:06 a.m.
Thunderbolt Fire Mutual Aid; 4409 Whatley Ave.
Savannah Fire was called to assist Thunderbolt Fire with a structure fire. Savannah Fire helped extinguish the fire and check for hot spots.
November 21, 2019
1:09 p.m.
Open Area Fire, 400 Commercial Ct.
Firefighters responded to the report of an open area fire in an office complex parking lot. A palm tree was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on scene. A citizen was attempting to extinguish it. Firefighters used about 400 gallons of water to fully extinguish the fire. An investigator was call to look into the cause.
November 21, 2019
7:37 a.m.
Accident with Injuries, Barry & Barbara streets
Firefighters were dispatched to an accident involving a school bus and a white Kia Rio. Firefighters checked the motorists and passengers for injuries. None of the school bus occupants reported injuries. The Kia Rio driver said she had back pain, but declined first aid. Firefighters turned the incident over to Savannah Police and EMS when they arrived on scene.
November 20, 2019
11:38 a.m.
Accident with Injuries, 11209 Largo Dr.
Firefighters were dispatched to an accident with injuries. They discovered that a motorist had crashed into a tree. The vehicle airbags deployed. Firefighters provided medical care and disconnected the car battery to prevent a fire.
November 19, 2019
9:15 p.m.
Vehicle Extrication, White Bluff Road & Tibet Avenue
Firefighters inside Station 2 heard the sound of a car crash, they responded and discovered a two car crash at a nearby intersection. One car was overturned. They used struts to prevent it from tipping over. The person inside was conscious. They were able to help him crawl out of the passenger side window. A female victim that was driving the other vehicle was extricated after firefighters used tools to cut out a section of the car for her to exit through. Both victims were CNT officers. Firefighters provided first aid and turned them over to EMS for transport.
November 18, 2019
1:18 p.m.
Structure Fire, 1801 E. 62nd St.
Firefighters discovered a man in distress on the front porch. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the kitchen. They quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing it from extending beyond the kitchen. They also pulled a lifeless dog from the smoke-filled house and revived it. They were unable to save a cat. The man who resides in the home was in extreme emotional distress and had to be transported by police to receive medical attention. Family members took possession of the dog. Power to the home was cut and the man was displaced.
November 18, 2019
12:49 p.m.
Fire; Jenkins High, 1800 E. DeRenne Ave.
Firefighters responded to the report of a fire at Jenkins High. They discovered a toilet paper roll on fire in the men’s restroom. The fire was extinguished with a watering can and the bathroom was ventilated.
November 17, 2019
5:24 p.m.
Outside Trash Fire, 20 Haven Dr.
Firefighters responded to the report of an open area fire behind a residence. They discovered a large amount of clutter and debris on fire. The resident said he was using a generator and it caused items stored in the back yard to catch fire. Firefighters informed the resident that there was excessive clutter in close proximity to fuel sources. He was told that the yard posed a fire hazard and it needed to be cleaned up. Savannah Police were called to the scene and the City Inspections Department was notified.
November 15, 2019
3:38 p.m.
Trash Can Fire; Savannah Gardens, 500 Pennsylvania Ave.
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a fire. They discovered that a trash can had been set on fire. A maintenance worker used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. Fighters ventilated the fitness room to clear the smoke. Fire Investigators were called to look into the cause of the trash can fire and the fire marshal was called to assess issues with the alarm system.
November 14, 2019
4:38 p.m.
Structure Fire, 705 Beauregard St.
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a structure fire. They discovered an elderly, wheelchair bound woman inside a house with smoke visible. The woman was removed from the structure and firefighters extinguished an electrical outlet fire, which extended up the wall and into the attic. They cut power to the structure and checked for extension. Two residents were displaced.
November 14, 2019
2:49 p.m.
Carbon Monoxide, 1122 Collins St.
Firefighters were dispatched to a carbon monoxide alarm. The used meters and found elevated carbon monoxide levels caused by gas space heaters in two bedrooms. Firefighters shut off the gas to the space heaters and ventilated the structure. They were advised to replace the space heaters and not turn them back on.
November 13, 2019
5:17 p.m.
Structure Fire, 503 E. 64th St.
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire. They forced the front door to gain entry and extinguished a fire in a back bedroom. There was no one inside the house at the time. The fire was contained to the bedroom. Power to the home was cut. The resident was displaced.
November 13, 2019
6:51 a.m.
Public Service, 120 Woodhouse Ln.
Firefighters were dispatched to a ceiling collapse at an apartment house. They discovered that the family room ceiling had collapsed and a large amount of water was pouring down from the ceiling area. Firefighters cut power and water to the building and covered furniture and other property with tarps to prevent further damage. The building manager notified the property owner. They were advised not to turn the utilities on until after a contractor mitigated the issue. No one was injured.
November 11, 2019
9:37 p.m.
Fire; Seagate, 1500 President St.
Firefighters were dispatched to a fire at a warehouse. They discovered smoke coming from the eaves. A pile of fertilizer was smoldering inside. Firefighters extinguished the fire and checked for hot spots.
November 10, 2019
10:59 p.m.
Fire, 100 Coastal Pl.
Firefighters responded to the report of a fire at an apartment. The resident said a pot was left on the stove unattended. Firefighters extinguished the fire with a water can and ventilated the building. No one was displaced.
November 10, 2019
13:12 p.m.
Vehicle Extrication, W. Anderson & Barnard streets
Firefighters were dispatched to a vehicle accident. The driver complained of injuries, but could not get out of the car. The car had been in a previous accident and the driver’s side door was not functioning. Firefighters used extrication tools to pop the door. They provided the patient with emergency care before EMS transport.
November 10, 2019
12:40 p.m.
Fire, 723 Yamacraw Village
Firefighters responded to an apartment fire in Yamacraw Village. They discovered a couch had caught fire but the blaze was out. They removed the burned couch and checked for hot spots and extension. The building suffered smoke damage and was ventilated. EMS was called to evaluate three children who were exposed to the smoke. The Housing Authority was notified.
November 9, 2019
5:06 p.m.
Structure Fire; Philip I. Friedman Dental Office, 6803 Forest Park Dr.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, the Dental Office of Philip I. Friedman was fully engulfed. As firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze they realized it was fueled by a gas line. The gas company was called to cap the line to the building. Firefighters blanketed the natural gas-fueled flames with water for more than four hours until gas company crews were able to locate and cap the underground gas line. Firefighters were then able to fully extinguish the blaze. The dental office was closed at the time of the fire. No one was injured, but the building sustained extensive fire damage. Video surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect as he lit the fire. An 11-year-old child was later identified as the suspect.
November 9, 2019
11:19 a.m.
Structure Fire; Magnolia Villas Apartments, 205 W. Montgomery Crossroad
Firefighters discovered a fire, which originated in the kitchen. They rescued a dog and quickly extinguished the fire, preventing it from extending to the neighboring apartments. A downstairs neighbor fell while exiting the building and suffered minor injuries. The resident of Apartment 308, where the fire originated, was displaced.
November 9, 2019
8:53 a.m.
Fire, 510 W. Bryan St.
Firefighters responded to a dryer fire, which was out upon their arrival. They checked for extension into the walls and removed the burned dryer from the home.
November 8, 2019
8:13 p.m.
Structure Fire, W. 42nd & Montgomery streets
Firefighters discovered fire in a shed, which was filled with household items. The fire had spread to an adjoining auto body shop and damaged three cars. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. A man, who was on site at the time of the fire, fell and sustained minor scrapes and burns. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
November 8, 2019
12:53 p.m.
Fire, 223 Forrest Ave.
Firefighters responded to a fire at single store residential structure. They discovered that the resident had been spraying foam insulation around her water heater and it caught fire. The fire was out upon their arrival. They cut the gas to the water heater, advised the resident to call a licensed plumber and not use the water heater or gas until professional repairs were completed.
November 6, 2019
11:30 a.m.
Technical Rescue, Southbound Truman Parkway at Abercorn Street
Firefighters were called to the scene of an accident involving a man who fell had first off of a 15-foot embankment and onto a drainage field lined with boulders. Firefighters immobilized the victim and used a special basket designed to safely lift him from the drainage field.
November 5, 2019
2:18 p.m.
Accident; Happy China II, 2022 Capital St.
Firefighters were dispatched to an incident in which a vehicle crashed into a restaurant, then fled the scene. Firefighters discovered a 20-inch hole in the exterior wall. No one inside was injured. Firefighters secured the building, shut off the gas as the meter and notified Code Enforcement.
November 4, 2019
7:28 p.m.
Fire, 1545 E. 53rd St.
Firefighters responded to the report of a kitchen fire. It was out upon their arrival. The blaze damaged the vent, cabinets and a section of the wall above the stove. Firefighters made sure the blaze was completely out and ventilated the structure.
November 2, 2019
8:37 a.m.
CAT Bus Fire, 200 Crossroads Pkwy
Firefighters were dispatched to a vehicle fire. The fire was out upon their arrival. They discovered the area where the fire appeared to have started and turned the scene over to Chatham Transit and County Police.
November 1, 2019
7:42 a.m.
Fire, 1314 Rogers St.
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire. They discovered a fire in the bathroom ceiling and extinguished it. Power to the house was cut and firefighters installed a smoke alarm. The residents were displaced and Red Cross was contacted to assist.