kannapolis mobile home fire-smoke alarm works

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

KANNAPOLIS ó Fire heavily damaged a mobile home on Hyde Street Sunday morning, but a working smoke alarm enabled the resident to get out safely, according to the Kannapolis Fire Department.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at 516 Hyde St. at 10:07 a.m. and arrived four minutes later to find smoke coming from an occupied mobile home.
The occupant, who rented the mobile home, told fire officials he woke up and heard the smoke alarm sounding.
He got out through the front door.
The resident’s name was not immediately available. The mobile home belongs to Donnie Hamrick, according to Fire Department records.
“Working smoke detectors save lives,” Inspector Shane Pethel said in a press release. “This person is alive today because of an invaluable safety device.”
Firefighters from Kannapolis stations 1, 2, 3 and 4 responded with a total of 7 pieces of apparatus and 19 departmental personnel.
The fire caused an estimate $60,000 in damage, including lost contents. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of this fire.
Kannapolis Fire Department officials say Sunday’s fire is another reminder for all homeowners to install smoke detectors and make sure they are working.
Any resident who needs a smoke detector or assistance installing a detector and/or replacing a battery can call the Fire Department’s Risk Reduction office at 704-920-4261.