Total loss

Richard from SE AZ · Nov 12, 2014

we got a terrifying phone call from our grandson at 6:30 this morning. Their house was on fire. WE live 70 miles away and by the time we got there the firemen were rolling up their hoses. MY 9 yr old grandson said that they had to run through the fire to get out because the door frame was burning. They are all OK except for some smoke inhalation. Their two small dogs and two cats didn't get out. Their house and all the contents were a total loss. They got out wearing what they went to bed in. Their car which was parked just outside the door had the whole front end melted off. Long day dealing with Red Cross, insurance and the boarding up of the house. Tomorrow we will have to buy them clothes and find them a place to live.. It's always something to set us back.

Patsdeere · Nov 13, 2014

Glad they are all right. Sad about pets, especially for the kids. Always makes you think "do I really need insurance". Good luck to them.

Brendon Warren · Nov 13, 2014

That's terrible. I went through the same thing in January 1998. Just the clothes on our backs and no insurance. The Red Cross was a great help. It was very trying times but when I look back it was probably for the best. I'd still be patching on that old farm house. Things will get better.

showcrop · Nov 13, 2014

They had no smoke detectors? I have had them since '73

Richard from SE AZ · Nov 13, 2014

Electrical fire. Smoke detectors were the the ones that are connected to the electrical system as mandated by USDA. They didn't work after all power was lost which happened immediately after main breaker tripped. This was explained to me by fire official when I asked why the detectors didn't work as intended. Home purchased two years ago and all systems passed inspection. I don't know. Just repeating what I was told.

Russ from MN · Nov 13, 2014

Ours have battery back up, I thought they all did.

dr sportster · Nov 13, 2014

Yes even the older ones had a 9 volt back up battery. Very sad about the family pets. It must be a horrible feeling to be displaced by fire.

kansas45 · Nov 13, 2014

That is a bad thing to happen. I'm glad the family got out OK.

Wile E · Nov 13, 2014

I have 2 extra smoke detectors that are NOT AC power backup, partly for that reason, other reason is cause the connector broke on the one in the hallway a few years ago I have not replaced it with the same style connector.

a week ago I went around and check the smoke detectors to make sure they worked. One of the them had a very faint buzz......totally broke, I will be buying 5 new ones to replace the 15 year old ones that could fail at the worst time.

Donald Lehman · Nov 13, 2014

Been there, done that. Jan. 13th 1980. Standing outside of what was left of our home, wet and cold and can't even change into dry clothes, because I no longer have any clothes. Once in a lifetime is once too often. Thank goodness the family is safe.

Bret4207 · Nov 14, 2014

What does the USDA have to say about smoke detectors in your home? I'm confused.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 14, 2014

Those 110v smoke are wired together, however mine has 9 v battery backup.

There are many electrical fires and chimney fires when the weather turns cold. Many people use portable electric heaters and have too many Christmas lights.

Been reading that clothes dryers cause many fires and deaths each year, lint fires.

wvfarmboy · Nov 14, 2014

so sorry for your loss wish i could help

pete 23 · Nov 14, 2014

That has to be really tough to handle but thank God they are all got out ok. I have several smoke, fire detectors in the house. All battery operated. My problem is that I have high frequency deafness. Well, guess what frequency they are. Need one with a fog horn I guess. I have to be almost right under them to hear them when they chirp meaning low battery and can't hear most of them if they go off when in another room. A good cook can set them off you know.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 14, 2014

Thought of your post this morning. Early this morning a house a few miles form mine, total loss. Smoke detectors didn't work. Guy had to go the the bathroom and discovered his house was on fire. News said he and his family was lucky to get out alive.

Fire started in the back of house, kitchen area. Fire Marshall hasn't determined cause yet, but there was a wood burner in the same area.

Just wondering how would an insurance company react if the fire was caused by wood burner and the person didn't tell insurance company he installed a wood burner?

Richard from SE AZ · Nov 14, 2014

USDA was the lending agency to purchase the home.

Bret4207 · Nov 15, 2014

(quoted from post at 00:59:56 11/15/14) USDA was the lending agency to purchase the home.

So USDA required substandard, non=operating smoke detectors? Sounds like a lawsuit to me.

TomH in PA · Nov 15, 2014

Battery backup doesn't mean the battery was good (or even installed, people sometimes borrow them).

This is a stark reminder to us all that the batteries should be replaced every year, and never removed in between.

Total loss

Richard from SE AZ

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Patsdeere

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Brendon Warren

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showcrop

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Richard from SE AZ

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Russ from MN

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dr sportster

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kansas45

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Wile E

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