Early morning fire damages building at Oakview Park

Press release from Gainesville Fire Rescue

At 2:29 a.m. on Sunday, June 13, Gainesville Police were alerted to a City-owned building in reference to a burglar alarm at 810 NW 8th St. The first arriving law enforcement officer quickly noticed smoke coming from the NW corner and requested assistance from the fire department. Units from Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) stations 1, 3, and 5 responded and were on the scene in less than 5 minutes. 

 

First arriving fire personnel noted heavy smoke coming from the building and began an interior fire attack. GFR crews had the fire out in less than five minutes after arrival. The Incident Commander, District Chief Cary Williams, attributed the quick stop of the fire to good situational awareness of the first arriving fire crew, Engine-1. The Company Officer of Engine-1, Jose Paredes, conducted a 360-degree survey of the building, locating an entrance very close to the fire itself. Engine-1 then used a tactic known as a “courtyard lay” to enter from this alternate point and avoid needless movement in a zero-visibility environment. According to Chief Williams, this tactic saved the crew a lot of time and allowed them to cut the fire off and extinguish the fire very quickly. 

  
The fire was contained to one corner of the building, which housed a small kitchen. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. These fires caused an annual average of four civilian deaths, 44 civilian fire injuries, and $112 million in direct property damage. Just over one-fifth (22%) of the reported fires in office properties began in the kitchen or cooking area, causing one percent of the direct property damage. For tips on keeping your office safe, visit our website at: www.GFR.org

No injuries were reported due to the fire or response. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

  • Looking forward to hearing the cause of the fire. There have been two homeless men loitering in the Oakview park over the past week. One in mid to late 30s with brown hair & beard. One in 50s to 60s with Snow white Santa beard and dyed pitch black head hair, with bike and belongings in tow.

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