January 2020 Responses
SAVANNAH, GA (Monday, March 30, 2020) – During the Month of January, the Savannah Fire Department responded to more than 646 incidents including 87 fires, 214 emergency medical service and other incident calls, 63 hazardous condition calls, 27 public service calls, 61 smoke scare calls and 194 false alarms. Of the 87 fires, 17 were structure fires. Below is a detailed summary of the notable calls for service in January:
January 29, 2020
6:57 p.m.
Cooking Fire, 2100 Block of New York Avenue
Units responded to the report of a fire at a residence. They discovered a burning pot of rice on the stove. Firefighters extinguished the fire and ventilated the building. No one was displaced.
January 28, 2020
5:26 p.m.
Fire, 0 Block of Belfair Drive
Firefighters were dispatched to a house fire. They observed smoke coming from the rear of the building and discovered fire inside a rear wall. No one was injured, but power to the home had to be cut and eight people were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
January 28, 2020
3:53 p.m.
Cooking Fire, 1300 Block of Richards St.
Units were dispatched to a fire alarm at a two-story residence. No smoke was visible. No one was home. The homeowner was contacted and returned to let firefighters inside, where they discovered a pot of food had been left cooking on the stove. The food in the pot was burned, which triggered the alarm. There was no fire. Firefighters ventilated the home. No one was injured or displaced.
January 28, 2020
1:48 p.m.
Mutual Aid, Al Henderson Boulevard & Putters Place
Firefighters were dispatched to assist Chatham Fire with an open area fire. They extinguished a fire that stretched 100 yards between Highway 204 and Henderson Boulevard.
January 28, 2020
9:27 a.m.
Public Service, Apache Avenue & Mohawk Street
Firefighters were flagged down by a citizen who said two elementary school students had missed the bus and were unable to reach their parents by phone. Firefighters called for Board of Education Police and stood by with the children until the school police officer arrived.
January 27, 2020
12:59 p.m.
Arching Electrical Equipment, 800 Block of Stillwood Drive
Units responded to an alarm activation at a school. They discovered a strong smell in one building. Smoke alarms were activated in three buildings. No fire was detected in any of the buildings and firefighters were unable to locate any malfunction in the HVAC systems or other electrical equipment. They secured the power to the HVAC system, ventilated the buildings and stood by while an electrician resolved the problem.
January 26, 2020
4:09 p.m.
Chemical Hazard, 6400 Block of Waters Avenue
The Savannah Fire Department responded to the report of a possible gas leak inside an athletic club. Firefighters made sure all occupants were outside and used meters to monitor the gas levels in the air. In one of the rooms they discovered elevated levels of Hydrogen Sulfide coming from a marine battery that had been left on charge. They removed the battery and ventilated the room until the gas levels were normal. No one was injured.
January 26, 2020
10:26 a.m.
Water Leak, 900 Block of Abercorn Street
Firefighters were dispatched to a two-story apartment house. They discovered that a water leak in an upstairs apartment was causing damage to the apartment below. They secured power to the downstairs apartment and turned off the water in the upstairs apartment.
January 23, 2020
8:35 p.m.
Elevator Rescue, 5100 Block of Waters Avenue
Units were dispatched to a residential high-rise building for an elevator rescue on the 15th floor. Firefighters gained access to the stalled elevator, removed two people and secured the elevator. No one was injured.
January 23, 2020
12:33 p.m.
Fire, 0 Block of Jay R. Turner Drive
Units were dispatched to a fire alarm activation at a hotel. The hotel manager informed them there had been a cooking fire in a second floor hotel room. The residents said they burned their microwave pizza. The fire was out upon their arrival, but firefighters cleared the room and hallway of heavy smoke and checked for hotspots. No one was injured.
January 23, 2020
7:44 a.m.
Elevator Rescue, 0 Block of E. Taylor Street
Firefighters responded to an elevator rescue call at a three-story rental. Firefighters rescued four people from a stalled elevator on the third floor. No one was injured.
January 23, 2020
12:53 p.m.
Biohazard Cleanup, 0 Block of Barnard Street
Firefighters responded to a biohazard cleanup call in a downtown square. Firefighters discovered blood in a restroom and outside seating area. They used a bleach solution to clean up the hazard and bagged the cleaning pads for safe disposal.
January 22, 2020
12:17 p.m.
Fire, 1800 Block of Holly Ave.
Units were dispatched to a fire at a single story residence. Firefighters discovered a small fire burning under the floor where the washing machine was located and quickly extinguished it. The occupant said the breaker tripped when he attempted to start the washing machine. He noticed smoke after he reset the breaker. Gas and electricity were cut, resulting in the displacement of 4 adults. One person was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.
January 22, 2020
11:34 a.m.
Trash Fire, 100 Block of W. 57th Street
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a structure fire. They discovered a person was burning trash. Firefighters extinguished the blaze with a water can and advised the resident of the ordinance prohibiting trash and yard waste fires within the City limits
January 22, 2020
6:17 a.m.
Oil Spill, I-516 & Augusta Avenue
Firefighters were dispatched to an oil leak at an off ramp. They discovered a 10-vehicle accident involving a log that had fallen off a logging truck. Oil spilling from the vehicles left a half mile-long trail. Firefighters contained the spill and contacted the Georgia Department of Transportation regarding the clean-up.
January 21, 2020
11:37 p.m.
Brush Fire, 10000 Block of Middleground Road
Firefighters responded to a fire in a wooded lot. They quickly extinguished the blaze and used thermal imaging cameras to scan the area for any hot spots. No one was injured.
January 21, 2020
10:43 p.m.
Chimney Fire, 1000 Block of SE 36th Street
Firefighters were dispatched to a residence regarding a fire in the chimney. Firefighters discovered fire between decorative brick and fireplace brick. They removed sheet rock to access the fire and extinguished it. They checked for hotspots and extension in the attic. No one was injured or displaced.
January 21, 2020
2:34 p.m.
Brush Fire, 200 Block of Avery Street
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a fire at a two story apartment building. They discovered fire in the pine straw and grass beneath a staircase. Residents had unsuccessfully attempted to put the fire out with household extinguishers. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and checked for hot spots. No one was injured or displaced.
January 20, 2020
5:49 p.m.
Fire, 1900 Block of Bull Street
Firefighters responded to a fire at a two-story building. They discovered flames coming from the second floor. They cut a section the floor to access the fire and extinguished it. No one was home at the time of the fire. They secured the building. The cause is under investigation.
January 20, 2020
12:53 p.m.
Cooking Fire, 5100 Block of Dancy Street
Firefighters were dispatched to the report of a structure fire. They discovered a small fire inside the oven, which they quickly extinguished. Firefighters ventilated the building and installed a smoke alarm battery. No one was injured or displaced.
January 20, 2020
9:26 a.m.
Public Service, 1300 Bradley Boulevard
Units were dispatched to assist a person who had fallen and was unable to get up on their own. They gained entry to the residence and helped the victim up. Firefighters turned the scene over to EMS and police.
January 20, 2020
5:50 a.m.
Biohazard Cleanup, MLK Boulevard and W. Oglethorpe Avenue
Firefighters were dispatched to a biohazard clean up outside a public facility. They discovered that a person had urinated on and around the building. Firefighters used a bleach solution to decontaminate the area.
January 19, 2020
4:48 p.m.
Fire, 1800 Block of Live Oak
Units responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered a small kitchen fire that had been extinguished by the resident. The fire was contained to the stovetop, vent hood and cabinets. Firefighters removed the vent hood, checked for hotspots and extension, then cleared the home of smoke. Power to the home was shut down at the panel.
January 19, 2020
9:56 a.m.
Mutual Aid, 7100 Block of Skidaway Road
The Savannah Fire department was dispatched to a softball complex to provide mutual aid to Chatham Fire. After extinguishing the fire Savannah Firefighters checked for hot spots and turned the scene over to Chatham Fire.
January 17, 2020
9:37 p.m.
Swift Water Rescue, Back River Bridge
Firefighters were dispatched to an automobile accident and technical rescue at the Back River Bridge. Firefighters discovered a two-car accident on the bridge. One person was in the Savannah River, clinging to a pylon. A member of the Technical Rescue Team was lowered from the bridge to the person in the river. The firefighter secured the victim until he could be loaded onto the fire department boat, Marine 2. Firefighters aboard Marine 2 provided basic care for the victim until reaching the dock. The victim was turned over to EMS.
January 17, 2020
5:32 p.m.
Fire, North Truman Parkway
Units were dispatched to a fire on the northbound section of the Harry S. Truman Bridge at the Vernon River. Firefighters discovered smoke and flames coming from an expansion gap. The fire was located in a void between the bridge sections, which restricted access to the fire. The burning section of bridge was located in Chatham County however, heavy traffic blocked Chatham Fire from the scene. Savannah Fire took command instead. The bridge was closed to traffic and the seal between the bridge sections was removed. Firefighters flooded the void with foam and extinguished the fire. The Department of Transportation was notified and a bridge inspector was called out before the bridge was reopened.
January 17, 2020
12:25 p.m.
Fire, 200 Block of W. Henry Street
Firefighters used a water can to extinguish a small fire in the exterior wall of a structure. The resident said a smoldering cigarette had been discarded in the area.
January 16, 2020
11:54 p.m.
Fire, 500 Block of E. 58th Street
Units were dispatched to a structure fire. They discovered a fully engulfed detached garage and quickly extinguished it. Power to the garage was cut. No one was injured or displaced. The cause is under investigation.
January 14, 2020
11:57 a.m.
Mutual Aid, 5900 Block of Ogeechee Rd.
Units were dispatched to assist Chatham Fire with a structure fire at a flea market. Savannah Firefighters brought the fire under control and turned the scene back over to Chatham Fire.
January 13, 2020
10:48 p.m.
Fire, 3300 Block of Hopkins Street
Units responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered that there had been a fire in the breaker box. The fire was out, but there was extensive damage to the electrical panel. Firefighters checked for hot spots, ventilated the structure and called Georgia Power to shut off the power. Three residents were displaced.
January 13, 2020
12:50 a.m.
Fire, 1400 Block of Coffee Bluff Road
Units responded to a house fire. They discovered smoke and flames streaming from the garage roof. Firefighters extinguished the blaze. No one was injured, but one person was displaced.
January 11, 2020
3:34 p.m.
Rubbish Fire, 1300 Block of Exely Street
Firefighters responded to the report of a structure fire in an apartment complex. They discovered that a Happy Meal box had been set on fire in an apartment walkway. The fire was out, but a neighbor advised that the children who set the fire had also broken into a first floor apartment. Firefighters turned the scene over to Savannah Police
January 8, 2020
12:17 a.m.
Carbon Monoxide Incident, 1500 Block of Audubon Drive
Firefighters responded to the report of a gas leak inside a residence. The homeowner said the carbon monoxide detector was going off. Firefighters used meters which detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the home. The gas was coming from the stove. An unlit burner had been left on. Firefighters turned off the burner and ventilated the home.
January 7, 2020
3:04 p.m.
Fire 4300 Block of Raybun Street
Firefighters responded to a fire alarm. The homeowner reported that a small kitchen fire had already been extinguished. Firefighters found that the cabinet above the stove was damaged by smoke and fire. The fire was out and there was no extension. They removed the damaged cabinet and cut power to a cabinet light and fan. One resident complained of smoke inhalation and was treated on scene. No one was displaced.
January 7, 2020
10:26 a.m.
Confined Space Rescue, 8800 Block of Abercorn Street
Firefighters were dispatched to rescue a man in a storm drain. Firefighters were unable to determine how the man made his way into the storm drain. In order to free him they cut through the storm drain grate.
January 7, 2020
2:14 p.m.
Cooking Fire, 200 Block of Drayton Street
Units were dispatched to a fire alarm at a convenience store. They discovered that an employee used an extinguisher to put out a fire on the stove. Firefighters made sure the fire was completely out and contacted the fire marshal and gas company.
January 6, 2020
9:56 p.m.
Fire, 1600 Block of Pendleton Street
Units responded to the report of fire alarm activation at a single story residence. Upon entering the home they discovered a small fire caused by a lamp. No one was injured or displaced.
January 6, 2020
12:54 p.m.
Wiring Incident, Forsyth Park
The Savannah Fire Department responded to the report of a fire in Forsyth Park. They discovered an exposed wire was causing a light pole to spark at its base. Firefighters called for park maintenance, prevented the exposed wire from making contact with the metal pole and closed the wiring box until park maintenance mitigated the issue.
January 6, 2020
11:19 a.m.
Fire, 100 Block of Quail Hollow Drive
Savannah Fire units responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered that a generator caught fire and extended to the house. The homeowner used a garden hose to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters discovered hot spots in the attic and eves. They ensured that the fire was completely out and ventilated the structure. Power to the home was cut.
January 5, 2020
12:17 a.m.
Fire, 5800 Block of White Bluff Road
Units responded to a reported structure fire at a hotel. Firefighters found a smoldering mattress in one of the rooms. They used water cans to extinguish the mattress and ventilated the structure. No one was injured.
January 4, 2020
4:37 p.m.
Fire, 1900 Block of Whitaker Street
Firefighters were dispatched to a residential fire. They quickly extinguished the fire, which appears to have begun at an outlet then spread to a cabinet, paint supplies and the ceiling. No one was home at the time of the fire. Power to the building was cut.
January 4, 2020
10:10 a.m.
Fire, 1300 Block of E. Waldburg Street
Units were dispatched to a fire. They discovered that a cooking fire damaged the stove and cabinets of a home. The resident used an extinguisher to put the fire out. Firefighters made sure the blaze was completely out and ventilated the structure.
January 3, 2020
10:13 a.m.
Wiring Incident, 1200 Block of E. Duffy Street
Units responded to the report of an electrical burning smell inside a home. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to identify hotspots. They did not detect any hazards in electrical outlets or breakers. The room with the electrical smell contained multiple space heaters and extension cords. No elevated heat readings were discovered in the outlets, but the occupants were warned about the danger of plugging space heaters into extension cords. Firefighters disconnected the extension cords and advised the occupants to limit their use. They unplugged a space heater with a damaged and burned plug and installed a smoke detector.
January 2, 2020
4:48 p.m.
Grass Fire, 900 Block of E. Bolton
Firefighters were dispatched to the report on an open area fire. They discovered a pile of grass on fire in the lane and extinguished it. Workers in the area said they observed two children on bicycles who started that fire and another one earlier in the day. Firefighters called for a police unit.
January 1, 2020
4:48 p.m.
Rubbish Fire, 600 Block of W. Oglethorpe
Units were dispatched to the report of a structure fire at a bus terminal. They discovered someone had started a small toilet paper fire in the restroom. The fire was out and no one was injured. The scene was turned over to police.
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