The Blotter
The Times' criminal justice team looks behind the scenes and behind the headlines.
SubscribeMarch 11, 2009 11:46 AM
Dog sounds fire alert when smoke detector can't
Posted by John de Leon
Three people escaped from an apartment fire early this morning in Des Moines after they were alerted to the blaze by the family dog. Good thing, because even though the unit had a smoke detector, the batteries had been removed, according to South King Fire & Rescue.
The fire happened just before 6 a.m. at 21909 30th Ave. S. When firefighters arrived, they found fire in a lower unit of two-story fourplex. One occupant was treated on-scene for smoke inhalation. Firefighters had the fire out in about nine minutes.
Fire investigators determined the fire started with an over-heated oven, which was being used to heat the apartment. Damage is estimated to be $80,000 due to fire in the lower unit as well as extending up to the second unit.
Smoke detectors were present in both the unit where the fire started and an upstairs apartment, but both were inoperable because the batteries were removed.
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