Fire Chief Mark Whiteside says “close calls” indicate need for emphasis on safety

New Albany Fire Chief calls attention to increased “close calls”

New Albany fire crews stayed busy Satuday with multiple calls, some at the same time.

One resident escaped what could have been a tragic outcome when unattended cooking on the stove filled the home with smoke. Fire crews were dispatched to 803 Forrest Heights at 2:25 pm to smoke coming from the structure with an occupant still inside.

Fire crews arrived on the scene and found the resident outside, along with the neighbor who had forced his way into the home and assisted the resident to safety.  Fire crews removed the smoke from the home and verified that the fire was contained by the cooking pan it was in.

Priority Baptist EMS was called to the scene to assist with the care of the rescuing neighber and the resident for smoke inhalation. Neither of the two were transported, but rather were treated at the scene. NAFD fire crews treated at the scene.

NAFD fire crews have seen an increase in what we call close calls. We have had some minor injuries to our citizens lately, and we are borderline on an outcome that we are fighting to prevent. Please take the time to practice and put safety in place.

Unattended cooking is a major cause for a fire in the home.

–Mark Whiteside,

City of New Albany Fire Chief