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Two House Fires Reported: But Where There’s Smoke, There’s Not Always Fire
August 7, 2009
Fire departments from across the area were dispatched to two different reported house fires on Jefferson Avenue in Century Thursday afternoon.
But residents discovered that where there’s smoke, there’s not always fire.
The Town of Century was conducting smoke tests in an effort to find a possible sewer leak. Essentially, a large amount of smoke is pumped into a portion of the sewer system. In Thursday’s incident, the smoke was reported to be visible rising from houses in the 7000 block of Jefferson Avenue, just off Highway 4. Town officials said that the smoke can exit the system through sewage system air vents in homes.
Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue did check both houses where the occupants thought their house was on fire and determined that the smoke was from the sewage system smoke tests.
Comments
3 Responses to “Two House Fires Reported: But Where There’s Smoke, There’s Not Always Fire”
John, I’m confused by your response to the first comment. I think “smoked” is saying that ECUA calls the Fire Department FIRST before they begin their smoke tests. That way, if someone sees smoke and dials 911, the dispatchers can let them know it’s nothing to be alarmed about. ( When ECUA calls the fire departments, they give an exact location of the test. )
It doesn’t matter if they notify the fire department or not. People with cell phones will still call it in. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do the same, but when there is obvious signs of people working(ECUA trucks, hoses going into manholes) then take just a second and look around. On the other side though, better safe then sorry!
ECUA runs these tests on sewer lines in Pensacola daily. But it’s procedure to notify the fire departments before the smoke gets pumped through the system. Otherwise they’d be chasing false alarms all day long.