The Danville Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 920 Roberts Street today (August 14, 2019) at 2:15 am. Crews arrived at 2:21 am and found a small two story house with nothing showing from the street. Engine 3’s crew (from Industrial Ave fire station) investigated the scene and found the basement of the house was full of smoke. They pulled a hand line and entered the basement to locate the fire. Ladder 1's crew (from Lynn Street fire station) shut off the utilities to the house, set up a ventilation fan and then entered the house to search for occupants. Engine 4’s crew (from West Main Street fire station) secured a water supply and pulled an additional hand line for back up. Engine 6’s crew (from Westover Drive fire station) established a Rapid Intervention Team and set up equipment.
The fire was located in the basement in the breaker box, quickly extinguished and determined to be under control at 2:41 am. The basement sustained minor fire and water damage, with the rest of the house sustaining smoke damage. The occupants were located safely outside the house.
The Danville Fire Department responded with three engines, a ladder truck, two command units, a safety officer and a Fire Marshal. Seventeen fire personnel were on the scene for 1 hour and 37 minutes. The Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Electric Department, Danville Water and Gas Department and Danville Police Department assisted on scene.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the Fire Marshal’s office and determined to be electrical related.
Chris Key
Battalion Chief