Firefighters contain the blaze to the back porch
The Savannah Fire Department (SFD) responded to a fire on West 47th St on Sunday morning, August 13, 2023. The fire was caused by a generator that was running on the back porch of a home. The flames were quickly contained by the firefighters and did not spread to the rest of the house. No one was injured in the incident.
The SFD said that the generator was being used to power a refrigerator and a fan, as the home had no electricity. The generator had been running for several hours before it caught fire. The SFD advised residents to use generators safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Generators should be placed at least 20 feet away from any structure and have adequate ventilation.
Residents and their dog escape unharmed
The occupants of the home, a man and a woman, were asleep when the fire started. They were awakened by the smoke alarm and managed to get out of the house with their dog. They called 911 and waited for the firefighters to arrive. The SFD said that the smoke alarm saved their lives and reminded everyone to have working smoke alarms in their homes.
The residents said that they had been living without electricity for several months, due to financial difficulties. They said that they were grateful that they and their dog were safe and that their home was not severely damaged. They thanked the firefighters for their quick response and professionalism.
SFD investigates the cause of the fire
The SFD is conducting an investigation into the exact cause of the fire. The generator was taken as evidence and will be examined by experts. The SFD said that it was not clear if the generator malfunctioned or if it was improperly installed or maintained. The SFD also said that it would check if the generator met the safety standards and regulations.
The SFD said that it would provide assistance to the residents and help them find temporary shelter and resources. The SFD also said that it would work with the local utility company to restore electricity to the home as soon as possible. The SFD urged anyone who needs help with paying their utility bills to contact them or other agencies that offer financial aid.
