The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 841 Melville Avenue this afternoon at 2:44 pm. Units arrived on scene at 2:46 pm to find a small two-story house with light smoke coming from the roof and second floor windows. All occupants were out of the house on our arrival. Engine 5's crew from Third Avenue Fire Station pulled an attack line, entered the house and found a mattress on fire on the second story in an unfinished room. Ladder 1's crew from Lynn Street Fire Station entered the structure and performed a search on both floors for victims, with none found The fire was knocked down and under control at 2:58 pm. The mattress was removed from the house and ventilation was set up to remove smoke from the house. The house sustained minimal smoke, heat and fire damage to the second floor.
The Danville Fire Department responded with three engines, one ladder truck, two chief officers and a fire marshal. A total of 16 personnel responded and were on scene for just over 1 hour. The Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Police Department, Danville Electric Department and Danville Water and Gas Department assisted on scene.
The fire marshal investigated the fire and determined that a child playing with a lighter set the mattress on fire. No injuries were reported.The family of 5 is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Chris Key
Battalion Chief