Gig Harbor, Washington – One Woman DeadAfter Duplex Fire

Gig Harbor, Washington (June 12, 2019) – A fire broke out in a duplex on Firdrona Drive Northwest and Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest on Wednesday night. One occupant inside the house was able to safely escape the fire, but another person went missing during the fire. After conducting a search the day after, the missing woman has been found dead in an upstairs room. The family in the other unit was not at home at the time of the fire. No injuries have been reported.

The firefighters were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m. By the time crews had arrived, half of the building was covered in flames. Neighbors told the firefighters that there were people inside, but the crews were unable to search due to the fire, and was forced to handle the flames from a defensive position.The building sustained severe damage from the incident.

About Fire

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. The dangers of fire cannot be underestimated – the US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington.  Statistics from the NFPA have recorded that cooking equipment were the leading cause of home structure fires, home fire injuries, as well as being the second leading case of home fire deaths. Additionally, smoking materials are the leading case of home fire deaths, though it isn’t always the case every year. Always handle fire with wariness and see to it that fires are always extinguished after use. Remember also to assess the area where fire is going to be used and see to it that complete fire safety is practiced at all times.

Aside from cooking equipment and smoking materials, electrical causes remain to be one of the top causes for home fires according to the NFPA. Their Electrical Fire Reports to the U.S Fire Department since 2000 estimates around 45,000 to 55,000 cases of home fires being caused by electrical malfunction every year. Annual losses due to electrical fire result in 455 civilian deaths, 1, 500 civilian injuries and 1.5 billion of dollars in direct property damage. From these statistics, the risk from electrical fire is very real and should not be underestimated. As for the accidents themselves, the NFPA lists 63 percent involved wiring and related equipment, 74 percent cited some sort of electrical failure or malfunction, and wire or cable insulation was the first item ignited in 32 percent of electrical distribution or lighting equipment home structure fires. From these cases, one must always review and identify potential fire hazards and fix them to avoid damages, injuries or deaths.

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