Busy Sunday for BFD

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BROOKINGS – The Brookings Fire Department answered four calls in 2 1/2 hours Sunday, according to Fire Chief Darrell Hartmann.

“Most of this, except the thermostat that was shut off, was weather related, super cold into a warming trend. But with the potential snow coming this week, we ask residents with hydrants in their yard to keep them clear,” Hartmann said.

“One more item: check your dryer lint catch and keep it clean, and the run to the exterior also has to be cleaned periodically,” he added. 

The first call came at noon for a four-story apartment complex at 1009 Southland Lane.

“Upon arrival, crews found it to be a water flow alarm,” Hartmann said. “While searching the floors, the crews discovered water running out of an apartment on the second floor. 

“Upon entry, the crew discovered that the apartment was vacant and the thermostat had been turned off. This allowed an exterior main sprinkler line to freeze during the cold weather and then burst as it warmed up Sunday,” Hartmann said.

The fire crews shut off the sprinkler system and drained the line, then remained on scene to assist with the water evacuation. They left the scene at 1 p.m.

At 1:19 p.m., the tones sounded again. The crews were called to the Swiftel Communications/Sprint Store at 415 Fourth St.

“As crews arrived, we found heavy smoke in the basement. A team made entry and found a compressor that had malfunctioned and generated the smoke,” Hartmann said. Crews were setting up fans to assist in clearing out the smoke when the third call came. Two engines were left on Fourth Street and the call was completed at 2:11 p.m.

In the meantime, other firefighters answered the call at 1:48 p.m. at 2324 10th St. There was fire and smoke coming from the attic area of a four-story apartment complex. 

“Upon arrival, the fire department, with the Brookings Police Department’s help, evacuated the building. Crews were also sent to the fourth floor to look for fire and smoke in the attic area,” Hartmann said. 

The aerial platform and ladder were used to access the roof area, but no signs of fire or smoke were found, he added.

“It was discovered that frost had built up on the underside of the roof and was thawing out and creating a haze in the attic space. It was also discovered that a dryer in the same area was overheated due to lint build-up,” Hartmann said.

Everyone was allowed back into the complex.

Just as crews were leaving the scene, they got their fourth call, Hartmann said.

That fire alarm sounded at 2:29 p.m. for 927 Southland Lane.

“After units were on scene, it was discovered that frost melt had filled a detector with water, tripping the alarm system,” Hartmann said.

All units cleared the scene at 2:45 p.m.

Winter fire safety tips

More fires happen in the winter months than any other time of the year, according to the Brookings Fire Department. During the cold months, people spend more time indoors and use different methods to heat our homes.

It is important to keep fire safety in mind when you are heating your homes.

If you are using a portable heater:

• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off so if it tips over, it shuts off.

• Keep anything that can burn such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least 3 feet from the heater.

• Plug portable heaters directly into wall outlets. Never use an extension cord or power strip.

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

If you are using a fireplace:

• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and starting a fire.

• Do not burn paper in your fireplace.

• Before you go to sleep or leave your home, put the fire out completely.

• Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Store the container outside at least 3 feet from your home.

If you are using a wood stove:

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from the stove.

• Do not burn paper in your wood stove.

• Before you go to sleep or leave your home, put the fire out completely.

When heating your home, you need to be aware of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the “invisible killer” because it’s a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental CO poisoning from generators or fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fire places. Breathing CO at high levels can kill you.

Put CO alarms inside your home to provide an early warning of increasing CO levels. These alarms should be placed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.

As always, make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test your alarm every month. Have a home fire escape plan and practice your plan at least twice a year. Make sure everyone knows how to escape your home if there is a fire.

For more information on heating fire safety, go to the U.S. Fire Administration website at usfa.fema.gov.