Two Displaced By Fire On West 37th Street

SAVANNAH, GA (January 11, 2010) – Two people have been left out in the cold by an early morning fire at a home on West 37th Street. Savannah Fire and Emergency Services had to close the major east-west thoroughfare to traffic for several hours Monday morning as they battled the flames. Firefighters were called to the home just before 5:00a.m. When they arrived, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from several areas of the home. After a search of the residence, firefighters took up a defensive posture against the intense fire which showed heavy flames on the first and second floors of the wood frame home as well as in the attic. It took about 90 minutes to bring the flames under control. Firefighters also had to be careful at the scene due to slippery, icy conditions on the roads and sidewalks in the below freezing temperatures before sunrise.

Two occupants of the home were able to escape the fire by breaking out a bedroom window and climbing outside before firefighters arrived. One was treated by emergency medical personnel on scene for minor scrapes and cuts. No other injuries were reported. W. 37th St. (between Harden and Burroughs Streets) was closed to vehicular traffic for more than four hours while firefighters battled the blaze and then monitored the home for any residual hotspots. The street was reopened just after 9:00 am. Fire damage to the structure is described as extensive especially in the rear of the house. Extensive smoke and water damage scarred the remainder of the house. SFES investigators say initial indications point to a gas space heater as a probable ignition point for the blaze, however an exact determination regarding cause will not be known for a couple of days.

American Red Cross officials were at the scene this morning assisting the resident of the house with alternate living arrangements.