Six People Escape House Fire In San Bernardino

At 0735 hours on July 3rd, the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1705 E. Hardt St. in the extreme south east section of the City. Within 6 minutes from the dispatch time, the first arriving units found a single family dwelling that was well involved with fire, along with other dwellings that were threatened and other outside combustibles contributing to the spread of the fire.

An “offensive” mode was declared and a simultaneous fire attack was initiated on the house fire as well as the combustibles on the outside of the dwelling. The other structures were protected and a quick primary search determined that the six people (four adults and two children) that were inside the structure had escaped the fire prior to the fire department’s arrival.

The fire and the threatened structures were contained in less than 15 minutes. However, the structure at 1705 E. Hardt sustained severe damage due to the fire being involved in the attic. The property loss was estimated at $75,000 and the contents at $20,000. The fire was investigated by the San Bernardino City Fire/Arson team and it was determined to be electrical in origin. The homeowner had stated that she had recently been having electrical problems and also had some construction/remodel word done to the house. All six of the occupants were displaced and Red Cross was notified to help them out.

It should be noted that although this particular fire was damaging enough, it could have been much worse. Had this fire occurred while the occupants were sleeping it is quite possible that the 6 occupants may not have had enough time to escape the dwelling and the fact that the SBFD was quickly notified may have saved the threatened adjacent structures. Having an escape plan is a must!

Written and Submitted by BC Mike Alder, San Bernardino City Fire Department