March 2020 Responses
During the Month of March, the Savannah Fire Department responded to more than 615 incidents including 95 fires, 181 emergency medical service and other incident calls, 62 hazardous condition calls, 26 public service calls, 62 smoke scare calls and 187 false alarms. Of the 95 fires, 17 were structure fires. Below is a detailed summary of the notable calls for service in March:
March 31, 2020
5:05 p.m.
Oil Spill, Westbound I-16 at Highway 164
Firefighters responded to the report of a vehicle accident. They discovered a tractor trailer that jack knifed. No one was injured, but a large amount of fuel was leaking from the truck’s damaged fuel tank. Firefighters contained the spill. The wrecker company transferred the remaining fuel out of the truck. An environmental company was called to clean up the leak.
Mach 31, 2020
1:58 p.m.
Trash Fire, 200 Block of Wellwood Drive
Firefighters were dispatched to an open area fire. They discovered a resident burning trash in their back yard. The City ordinance banning yard waste and trash fires was explained and the fire was extinguished.
March 31, 2020
6:48 a.m.
Public Service, 400 Block of Mall Boulevard
Firefighters were dispatched to help Savannah Police and EMS gain entry to a structure and access a patient in need to medical transport. Firefighters forced entry and turned the scene over to police and EMS.
March 30, 2020
8:54 p.m.
Gas Leak, 2800 Block of Capital Street
Units responded to the report of a gas leak outside a structure. They discovered that a bullet had struck a gas meter outside an office building. Firefighters secured the gas at the meter. Firefighters ventilated the building.
March 30, 2020
9:02 p.m.
Water Leak, 0 Block of Alfred Street
Savannah Fire responded to the report of a water leak at a warehouse. Firefighters discovered that a damaged fire suppression sprinkler was leaking large amounts of water inside. They shut off the water and notified the Fire Marshal’s Office.
March 30, 2020
2:28 a.m.
Overheated Motor, 10600 of Abercorn Street
Firefighters were dispatched to the smell of smoke at an apartment complex. Residents said they heard a loud pop from the AC unit then noticed a burning smell. Firefighters determined that a belt had broken in the AC motor. Power to the unit was secured and management was notified.
March 29, 2020
10:57 p.m.
Carbon Monoxide Incident, 800 Block of Yamacraw Village
Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide alarm inside a residential structure. Firefighters discovered elevated carbon monoxide readings in a unit with a malfunctioning stove. Gas was cut and the unit was ventilated. The Housing Authority was notified.
March 29, 2020
10:26 a.m.
Water Rescue, Savannah River
Marine 2 was dispatched to assist a distressed boater in the Savannah River. The civilian’s vessel ran aground with an outgoing tide. Two adults and two young children were stranded. Marine 2 brought one adult and the children to the public dock. The other adult remained with the boat.
March 29, 2020
2:38 p.m.
Open Area Fire, 0 Block of Godley Park Way
Firefighters responded to an open area fire. They extinguished a small blaze in the brush and tall grass along the wood line.
March 29, 2020
4:35 a.m.
Fire, 100 Block of W. Gordon Street
Firefighters responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered a four-story residential structure with smoke streaming from the first and second floors. Firefighters forced an iron bar door to access an apartment with fire coming from a laundry room in the rear. They quickly extinguished the fire. No one was inside. They prevented the fire from extending to the neighboring structures. And cleared all of the units of smoke.
March 28, 2020
9:50 a.m.
Vehicle Fire, 200 Block of W. Montgomery Crossroad
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire. The vehicle was parked dangerously close to a building. Firefighters extinguished a small fire in the engine compartment.
March 28, 2020
9:18 p.m.
Open Area Fire, 0 Block of W. 60th Street
Firefighters responded to the report of an open area fire. They discovered that grass was on fire in the back yard of one residence and had spread to an adjoining yard. Fire fighters extinguished the fire and discovered a pile of hot charcoal in the yard.
March 28, 2020
8:16 p.m.
Vehicle Fire, 2100 Block of Fox Street
Savannah Fire was dispatched to a vehicle fire. Firefighters discovered a fully involved vehicle in a parking lot. No driver or owner was present. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and contacted the arson investigator.
March 28, 2020
7:24 p.m.
Carbon Monoxide Incident, 900 Block of Sherman Avenue
Units responded to the report of a carbon monoxide alarm. Firefighters made sure all occupants safely exited the structure. They discovered unsafe carbon monoxide levels and cut gas to the structure. They ventilated the building and called the gas company to the scene.
March 27, 2020
5:24 p.m.
Vehicle Accident, Habersham and E. Anderson Streets
The Savannah Fire Department responded to an accident with injuries Firefighters provided care to a person with an injured hand until EMS arrived on scene.
March 26, 2020
6:14 p.m.
Open Area Fire, 0 Block of Burbank Boulevard
Units responded to the report of an open area fire. They discovered a resident burning a small pile of yard waste in their backyard. The fire was extinguished and the resident was advised of the City ordinance banning trash and yard waste fires.
March 26, 2020
1:32 p.m.
Cooking Fire, 1400 Block of Barnes Drive
Firefighters responded to the report of a structure fire in a three story, multi-family complex. They discovered that a cooking fire in one of the units set off the fire suppression system. They cooking fire was out, but three units sustained water damage.
March 25, 2020
2:50 p.m.
Vehicle Accident, 400 Block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Firefighters responded to an accident involving a car and a dump truck. They checked the vehicles for injured victims and assisted EMS with and injured elderly person.
March 21, 2020
5:22 p.m.
Chemical Hazard, 2500 Block of Alabama Avenue
Units responded to the report of a chemical release inside a home. Firefighters discovered a resident who was overcome by fumes while cleaning with a bleach-based product. Firefighters ventilated the structure and advised the resident ventilate the home while cleaning and to refrain from mixing bleach-based products with other chemicals.
March 21, 2020
1:00 p.m.
Fire, 400 Block of Screven Avenue
Firefighters responded to the report of a structure fire. The residents said the electric oven caught on fire. Crews removed the oven and checked for extension into the walls and cabinets. No hazards were found. Units also crews also checked the breaker box for elevated temperatures. No hazards were found. Power to the home was secured and the occupant was advised to have a licensed electrician check the electrical system. Firefighters installed a smoke alarm before leaving the scene.
March 20, 2020
4:10 p.m.
Fire, 500 Block of E. 40th Street
Units responded to a reported structure fire. Firefighters discovered a rug burning in the detached garage of an abandoned house. They extinguished the blaze with a water can.
March 20, 2020
3:32 p.m.
Vehicle Accident, North & West Lathrop Avenues
Firefighters responded to the report of a vehicle accident. They discovered an adult and a child were riding a scooter and crashed. Firefighters provided patient care until EMS arrived.
March 19, 2020
4:29 p.m.
Vehicle Accident, 300 Block of W. Waldburg Street
Units were dispatched to an accident involving a car that crashed into a residence and the engine compartment caught fire. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, provided patient care and checked the building for damage.
March 16, 2020
1:37 p.m.
Fire, 0 Block of Pinkney Road
Firefighters were dispatched to a mobile home fire. The structure was fully involved upon their arrival. They extinguished the blaze. No humans were injured, but two dogs died in the fire. Two adults were displaced.
March 16, 2020
12:33 a.m.
Fire, 300 Block of W. 37th Street
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire. They discovered a fire on the front porch of a residence. The fire appeared to have been ignited by a cigarette butt that was placed in a plastic flower pot. The pot caught fire and ignited a section of the porch decking boards. The fire was extinguished and firefighters pulled up the damaged boards to ensure there was no extension.
March 15, 2020
1:36 p.m.
Trash Fire, N. Harry Truman Parkway
Firefighters were dispatched to an open area fire in a homeless camp. They discovered a trash fire, which they put out with water cans. EMS was called to assist a resident who complained of breathing issues.
March 15, 2020
2:52 a.m.
Fire, 1400 Block of Lincoln Street
Units responded to the report of a structure fire. Firefighters discovered a small fire in the exterior wall of a residence. The resident said they removed a burning rag from the area where the fire started. Arson investigators were called to the scene.
March 15, 2020
1:39 a.m.
Vehicle Accident, MLK and Turner Boulevards
Firefighters were dispatched to a vehicle accident. They discovered a single car crash with an injured and unresponsive victim. Firefighters provided medical care until EMS arrived.
March 14, 2020
7:49 a.m.
Biohazard, 4000 Block of Ogeechee Road
Units responded to a report of sewage leaking into roadway from a hotel septic tank. Firefighters found the area where a spill had occurred. They contacted the hotel manager and City of Savannah Risk Management services and stood by until the issue was mitigated.
March 14, 2020
9:13 a.m.
Fire, 2100 Block of Fox Street
Units responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered smoke and flames coming from the rear roof of a residence. The resident had been conducting roof improvements and had multiple extension cords in the area where the fire began. The blaze extended into the attic and caused heavy fire damage. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and called the Red Cross to assist the displaced residents.
March 14, 2020
7:56 a.m.
Fire, 1700 Block of Reynolds Street
Units were dispatched to a structure fire. Firefighters discovered smoke coming from a wall and beneath the house. They found fire in the bathroom walls and floor and extinguished the blaze. Power to the structure was cut and the residents were displaced.
March 12, 2020
7:41 p.m.
Fire, 4700 Block of Waters Avenue
Firefighters were dispatched to a fire alarm at a hospital. They discovered that someone had used a toilet paper roll to set an emergency room mattress on fire. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire. Firefighters removed the mattress and excess water from the structure. The fire caused minor damage to the mattress, but the room sustained moderate water damage. The state fire marshal and arson investigators were notified and the scene was turned over to the police department.
March 12, 2020
5:31 a.m.
Fire, 100 Block of Stephenson Avenue
Units responded to a fire at a building under construction. Firefighters discovered building supplies on fire and quickly extinguished the blaze. The structure sustained minor damage. Arson investigators were called to the scene.
March 10, 2020
11:54 a.m.
Fire, 200 Block of Lakepointe Drive
Firefighters responded to a structure fire. They discovered heavy smoke and flames coming from a single story residence. The resident was discovered with injuries at the rear of the structure. Fires had been intentionally set throughout the house. Arson investigators determined it was a domestic related arson incident.
March 7, 2020
5:24 p.m.
Fire, 500 Block of Cleland Street
Units responded to a structure fire. Firefighters discovered smoke and flames coming from a vacant single story structure. They quickly extinguished the blaze. Witnesses reported seeing children playing around the vacant structure. Arson investigators were called to the scene.
March 7, 2020
5:04 p.m.
Fire, 100 Black of Hampstead Avenue
Units were dispatched to a high rise fire alarm. A resident was burning incense and used a flower pot as a holder. The smoldering incense caught the pot and artificial flower on fire, activating the alarm. The small fire was extinguished with an extinguisher before firefighters arrived. Firefighters cleared the building of smoke and made sure there was no extension.
March 5, 2020
2:51 p.m.
Fire, 1900 Block of Utah Street
Firefighters responded to the report of a structure fire. They discovered a smoldering blaze behind the electrical meter on the exterior wall of a residence. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and made sure it was completely out. Power to the home was cut and one resident was displaced.
March 3, 2020
9:25 p.m.
Fire, 12000 Block of Middleground Road
Firefighters responded to the report of a fire at an apartment complex. They discovered a smoldering fire inside the wall of a back deck. Firefighters used a water can to extinguish the fire and made sure it was completely out
March 3, 2020
4:56 p.m.
Extrication, 2200 Block of Montgomery Street
Firefighters were dispatched to an incident at a park involving a child stuck in a swing. Both of the child’s legs were stuck in the seat of a swing. Firefighters had to cut through the swing with a tool to free one leg and they used grease to free the other. The scene was then turned over to EMS.
March 2, 2020
8:18 p.m.
Fire, 1400 Block of Audubon Drive
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire. Inside the residence they discovered that a mattress had been set on fire. The fire was extinguished, the mattress was removed and the building was ventilated.
March 1, 2020
7:44 p.m.
Fire, 0 Block of Scarborough Street
Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at a residence. They discovered a fire in the living room and attic and quickly extinguished it. Power to the structure was cut. One adult was displaced.
March 1, 2020
1:46 p.m.
Fire, 700 Block of E. Congress Street
Units were dispatched to a structure fire. Firefighters discovered a small fire under the fourth floor balcony. They forced entry to the balcony and extinguished it.