The Observation Deck

Two Lakewood Fire Fighters received minor injuries falling through a floor, and were taken
to Lakewood hospital and released.


At 6:24 am the neighbor of 15406 Madison smelled and saw smoke and called 911.

They battled it until 9:30am. The building is vacant, had been rehabbed and had lots of
interest and people looking at moving in, neighbors reported.




Lakewood Fire Department was there in minutes, and you could see smoke coming from the window.


They entered the building and found a fire on the second floor.




At the first sign of light the smoke was pretty thick.




As you can see in this unadjusted photo, it is still pretty dark.










More trucks and more firefighters arrive.


Fire Fighters enter the first floor.


The fire was in the walls, and these old buildings have fake roofs, and all sorts of places for fire to travel.


By 7:30 the smoke started to diminish.


On the roof!

Quick head count and new oxygen and back in.


Fairview Fire Department...




Smoke continued until 9:30, now out.




Back to normal light.

All the photos here:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/fire-15406-madison-avenue

Good work to all of the fire departments!
Thank you all.

The Observer coverage is equally as responsive as the LFD my hats off to everyone involved

The two firemen that were hurt, are back home. One fell through the floor falling 10' which is considered "death fall height" especially
with full packs and oxygen tanks. The second fireman, got hung up in the rafters so only feel 3' or so. Fire Inspector Tim Dunphy described
them as two of the healthiest firemen in the group."

It is my understanding that both offices on the first floor were to be filled this week. The one on the right with a Lakewood hair stylist
that was moving there, and was part owner of the building. The other office leased to a film production company that is working in the
area and was hoping to move in shortly.

Fire Chief Scott Gilman mentioned, "Many think we have a problem with this recent spat of fires. None of these fires were related, all
but one has been explained, and I am confident we will find the cause. Fires often happen in clusters, even thought not related."

I believe it is always best to remember, we live in 100 year-old homes generally within 50' or less of each other. Most homes have
worked to keep their plaster walls, so a lot of wiring in Lakewood is old, and we are all generally over taxing the wiring. These homes
were built with the thought of a light and another light per room, maybe a refrigerator. Today we often have 5-10 items plugged into
wall outlets through power strips.

Two other fires were improper disposal of a cigarette. While one could simply say, smoking is bad, disposal of cigarettes can also be a killer.

Be safe.


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