Early
Morning Fire Destroys Old Town Home Undergoing Major Renovation
Saturday morning just before 8am firefighters
from St. Tammany Fire Protection District No.1 responded to the report of a
working structure fire on Bilten Avenue in Old Town. Callers were unable to
provide the exact address; however, Ladder 11 arrived on scene within 2 minutes
and 12 seconds of receiving the call. Captain A.J. Wrublewski and his crew reported
a fully involved structure fire at 430 Bilten Avenue and initiated a defensive
attack of the fire.
Billowing smoke, impressive flames and the
wail of sirens from responding fire engines, police cars and ambulances
attracted many bystanders who watched as firefighters aggressively worked to
extinguish the fire. Firefighters equipped with large hoses sprayed water and
stood their ground to prevent the spread of the fire to adjacent properties.
Despite firefighter’s best efforts, the heat from the fire had already caused
damage to the neighbor’s fence, shed, greenhouse, truck and boat but their
actions kept the flames at bay and firefighters were able to stop the progress
of the fire before it could spread to the neighbor’s home.
After 30 minutes of flooding the involved
structure with water from the 77’ ladder truck known as the “Old Town Express”
and four large hose lines directed by firefighters, the fire was brought under
control.
Fire Investigator Van Joffrion was on the
scene working to determine the cause of the fire. According to Fire Prevention
Officer Mike Thiel, “The home was undergoing major renovations and was
unoccupied at the time of the fire. The construction stage contributed to the
rapid spread of the fire as there were no windows installed which allowed air
to feed the flames. Because the structure was unoccupied, the fire burned for
an unknown amount of time until it grew to the point that neighbors noticed the
smoke and flames, and called 911.”
The cause of the fire is still under
investigation at this time.
For more information about St. Tammany Fire
Protection District #1 visit us at www.slidellfire.org
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- St. Tammany Fire District #1 and Twitter - @SlidellFire_PIO
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