At 12:29 am Sunday Morning, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded to a residential structure fire on DiMaggio Way in Pittsburg that left three victims dead.
Upon arrival, Engine 84 quickly confirmed the flames and called for 2nd alarm as a second structure also caught fire. The second structure had some exterior damage and a broken window.
According to radio traffic during the incident, three victims were pulled from the fire during search and rescue operations.
Update 8:30 am:
During a phone conversation with Battalion Chief Lewis Broschard, he explained that all three victims were pulled out during fire attack and search during the initial stages of the fire. At that point, it was determined that they were all deceased.
Broschard stated the home had no working smoke alarms as they found 3 smoke alarms which were not mounted and found on counter tops throughout the house with no batteries.
“We believe fire started in the front of the house, they appear to be in back of the house. Smoke alarms may have awoke them up and alerted them.” said Broschard. “It really comes back to a $5 smoke alarm where you can pick them up at any hardware store. They install very quickly and save lives. $15 probably meant the difference from three people being alive today.”
He encouraged folks to strategically place smoke alarms in every bedroom with one in the hallway as that will give you a few extra seconds and sometimes that is all you need.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
At 12:56 am, the fire was knocked down with significant overhaul required. A bored up with 18-sheets was request and PG&E was expected on scene by 1:30 am.
Photo by Antonio Rodriguez
1 comment
How sad and devastating. Even worse to hear that the smoke alarms were on the kitchen counter without batteries. Very sad!!
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