A smoke alarm saved a life in a fire at a Moorhead apartment building early Friday, December 7, 2018.
The fire was reported at 1211 34th Street Circle South just before 5:00 am on Friday. The first Fire Department Unit was on scene within six minutes and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the apartment building.
The resident was outside when fire crews arrived; he had escaped through a window. During an interview with Fire Investigators, he indicated a smoke alarm woke him up. Fire crews had previously identified the need for smoke alarms during a rental housing inspection. Smoke alarms were installed Tuesday, November 6, 2018 – 31 days before the fire occurred.
The apartment building received extensive damage, with four of the twenty units uninhabitable. The cause of the fire has been determined as accidental improper disposal of cigarettes.
The Moorhead Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of knowing at least two ways out of every room and having working smoke alarms in their home. Here are some important safety reminders on smoke alarms:
- Install smoke alarms in every sleeping area and one on every level of the home
- A smoke alarm should be placed on the ceiling or high on a wall.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.
- Change batteries twice a year.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
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For More Information, contact:
Jeff Wallin, Assistant Chief
Moorhead Fire Department
(218) 299-5439
jeff.wallin@ci.moorhead.mn.us
