The Danville Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 171 Smith Street this morning (July 1, 2021) at 2:16am. Crews arrived at 2:22am and found a small one-story house with a moderate amount of smoke coming out the front door of the house. Engine 3’s crew (from Industrial Avenue Fire Station) pulled a hand line and entered the house to search for the fire. Engine 1’s crew (from Lynn Street Fire Station) set up a ventilation fan. Ladder 1’s crew (from Lynn Street Fire Station) secured the utilities and entered the house to do a primary search for occupants. Engine 7’s crew (from Airport Fire Station) sat up equipment and established a Rapid Intervention Crew.
The fire was located inside a clothes dryer, quickly extinguished at 2:31 am and determined to be under control at 2:39am. The clothes dryer was removed from the kitchen. The house sustained moderate smoke damage.
The house was occupied at the time of the fire, but all occupants were located safely outside.
The Danville Fire Department responded with three engines, a ladder truck, a command unit, a safety officer and one Fire Marshal. Sixteen fire personnel were on the scene for 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Electric Department, Danville Water and Gas Department and Danville Police Department assisted on scene.
The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the Fire Marshal’s office and determined to be lack of maintenance of the dryer.
Chris Key
Battalion Chief