GFD puts out four major fires
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on February 12, 2004 2:01 PM
The Goldsboro Fire Department put out four major structure fires among the 172 fire and service calls that it answered in January.
Damages were estimated at $60,600 from the four fires, Chief Bobby Greenfield said in his monthly report. No injuries were reported.
A kitchen fire on Jan. 6 at 200 Mercer St. caused the most damage, $28,000. The resident, Shawn Sutton, was credited by fire officials with keeping the fire from spreading by using a water hose. Unattended cooking was blamed.
Unattended cooking also was blamed for a kitchen fire Jan. 13 at 703 W. Holly St. Damage was estimated at $15,000 to the home and $1,000 to contents. The rental home is owned by Alpine Properties of Raleigh. The resident, Wanda Gervin, told officials that she thought she had turned the stove off, then left and came home to find the kitchen on fire.
Two other fires were referred to Goldsboro police for investigation. Police officials said Wednesday that they had not determined who had set the fires.
A vacant home at 311 Pearson St. was damaged Jan. 11. Damage was estimated at $15,000 to the home owned by Derrick Sauls of Raleigh.
A baby stroller was set on fire Jan. 13 on a back porch, causing minor damage to an apartment at 817 W. Oak St. The resident, Carletha Perry, and her 3-year-old daughter were watching television and saw the flames. Damages were set at $1,100 to the building and the stroller.
Greenfield said department personnel also took part in a total of 437 hours of company training and 1,604 hours of individual training in January.
Department training was held in emergency medical services, defibrillation, multi-company tactical operations and hazardous materials drills.
Company training was conducted in engine drills, department organization, pump skills, pre-planning, hydraulics, street locations, bus extrication, gas monitor operations, fire behavior, self-contained breathing apparatus skills, incident command system, ropes and knots, and water supply.
Routine maintenance of the five stations and equipment also continued in January.