At 10:56 pm last evening, Holland Department of Public Safety fire personnel were dispatched to 321 E. 20th St. for a fire in a residence. Upon arrival approximately 4 minutes later units advised that there was a working fire in the garage area of the two family residence. This fire extended into the attic space of the structure. Firefighters initiated tactics to extinguish the fire and confirm that occupants were safely out of both units of the structure. The fire was knocked down approximately 20 minutes after arrival and firefighters remained on scene until 1:40 am today to extinguish hotspots.
During the initial moments of the incident one occupant did sustain a medical situation related to the fire. The occupant was assessed and treated on scene by a responding ambulance and was not transported. Additionally, one firefighter sustained an injury when a section of ceiling collapsed on them and 2 others operating inside the structure. This firefighter was evaluated and treated at an area emergency department and was subsequently released.
The Department's Fire Marshal initiated an origin and cause investigation and has determined that the circumstances leading up to the fire were accidental and most likely a result of smoldering fireworks that were next to the exterior of the structure. The steady wind was a factor in the ignition of the fire as well as the significant extension into the garage, attic and roof. Damage estimates are not available at this time however one unit of the duplex is deemed to be a total loss while the other sustained smoke and water damage. A fire wall separating the units and quick actions by the department to suppress the fire prevented the structure from being a total loss.
As a result of this fire 6 people were displaced from their homes. They have received some initial assistance from the HDPS Victims Services Unit. Other units assisting during the fire include, HDPS police officers and ambulance services from American Medical Response.
This fire serves as a reminder to safely dispose of fireworks and other pyrotechnic materials that are used around the 4th of July and other holidays. These should be placed in a metal container or bucket of water, away from structures, to cool prior to disposal.
As always the department would like to remind everyone to test heir smoke alarms on a monthly basis.