Kaibab Paiute Tribe members, neighbors and volunteers extinguish home fire that displaces family

Home on North Kaibab Village catches fire from laundry near the water heater Friday, Kaibab Paiute Tribal Lands, Kane County, Utah, Aug. 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Kevin Barlow, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The efforts of Kaibab Band of Paiutes members and neighbors helped contain a fully involved structure fire that burned through a home Friday afternoon, preventing the blaze from spreading.

Home on North Kaibab Village catches fire from laundry near the water heater Friday, Kaibab Paiute Tribal Lands, Kane County, Utah, Aug. 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Kevin Barlow, St. George News

Shortly after noon, Kane County firefighters and emergency personnel were dispatched to a house fire in North Kaibab Village on the Kaibab Paiute Tribal Lands.

While firefighters were en route several tribal housing personnel and neighbors used the Kaibab Paiute Fire Department’s brush truck and hoses hooked to a fire hydrant located near the front of the burning structure and began hosing down the blaze burning intensely through the home.

Kane County firefighters arrived on scene and continued fire fighting efforts until the blaze was extinguished and were soon joined by fire crews dispatched earlier from Hildale/Colorado City Fire District and the Fredonia Fire Department in Arizona.

The active blaze was extinguished by the time both Hildale/Colorado City and Fredonia Fire Departments arrived but the fire required extensive overhaul to ensure it was completely out, including extensions into the walls and attic. Any burning embers or hot spots left behind could potentially smolder and then rekindle at a later time.

Firefighters overhaul a fire by opening walls, ceilings and voids checking for fire extension during firefighting operations once the active fire has been knocked down, or extinguished. This allows fire crews to find and extinguish any fire extensions left behind, including opening up any ceilings where the fire was most intense and working out from there, according to Fire Engineering.com. 

The residence sustained extensive fire and smoke damage “to much of the residence,” Barlow said, as well as the home’s contents, which were heavily damaged by smoke.

Kaibab Paiute Fire Department brush truck responds to structure fire Friday, Kaibab Paiute Tribal Lands, Kane County, Utah, Aug. 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Kevin Barlow, St. George News

Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by clothing and laundry sitting against the base of the water heater, and once the material ignited, the fire began to spread.

“There were no working smoke detectors in the home which could have proven disastrous had the fire occurred at night,” Barlow said.

Emergency medical personnel remained on scene and assessed several individuals for smoke inhalation suffered while trying to fight the blaze before the fire department arrived. One man was assessed for possible injuries suffered when he fell off of the roof while attempting to ventilate the structure.

No one was transported to the hospital, Barlow said.

“The American Red cross was called in to provide assistance for the family of three that was displaced after the fire,” Barlow said, “and the family was going to be able to stay with nearby friends and family for the night.”

The Kaibab Paiute Fire Department, Kaibab Paiute housing personnel and neighbors initiated fire fighting efforts, and they were assisted by the Kane County Fire Department, Hildale/Colorado City Fire District and the Fredonia Fire Department in Arizona responding with 12 fire and medical units staffed by 22 volunteers providing mutual aid. Officers with the Bureau of Indian Affairs also responded and assisted with the scene.

Fire safety

“The fire emphasizes the importance of maintaining good clearance around appliances.  The fire department also reminds everyone that simply closing a door can deprive a fire of oxygen and prevent the fire from spreading,” Barlow said.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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