KNIGHTDALE - At approximately
3:20p.m. August 27, Eastern Wake Fire Rescue Department was
dispatched to combat a mobile home fire in the Knightdale
Estates mobile home park off Hodge Road. Crews arrived to find
the home at 3810 Lodge Drive engulfed in smoke. The home valued
at approximately $15,000 was deemed a total loss.
Firefighters battled the blaze on one the hottest days
of the year in Wake county. In all 23 firefighters responded to
the fire. As they clashed with heat indices reaching upwards of
106 degrees, the fire crews rotated in short shifts and consumed
plenty of water to
reduce the onset of heat exhaustion during fire operations.
While no human life was lost, several animals did
perish in the fire. Two parakeets succumbed to smoke inhalation,
and various fish were lost due to extreme heat stress. Despite
the loss of animal life, fire crews did rescue two small black
kittens.
Firefighter Todd Blanchard reported one kitten clung to
his leg as he entered the house for the second time. Blanchard
cradled the small cat in his arms and exited the home. The
kittens were turned over to Knightdale EMS for initial treatment
for smoke inhalation, but appeared more scared than
hurt.
The owner reported she was smoking a cigarette in her
bed when she accidentally turned over the cigarette and ashtray
onto a pile of clothes which ignited. She tried to put the fire
out, but only fanned the flames that spread into the inferno
that engulfed the latter quarter of her family's small trailer
home.
The Wake County chapter of The American Red Cross
arrived on scene shortly after the fire was snuffed out, and
went to work locating a temporary home for the owner and her
family.
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FF Todd
Blanchard cradles one of two kittens
rescued from the trailer.
Chief G. Gupton, Jr instructs
firefighters.
Eastern Wake firefighters exit the home.
FF Stephen Driver and Flip Harvey join
Capt John Pender in recovery.
FF Tyler Carlyle inspects the ceiling area
for extension.
Cause: careless with smoking materials.
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