February 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-08) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE HEAVILY DAMAGES WEST MOBILE HOME Firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire located at 1756 Augusta Drive, West, off Dawes Road this Tuesday morning, February 19. The call was received at approximately 7:18 a.m. and firefighters reported seeing heavy smoke as they pulled out the station. In fact heavy smoke from the fire could be seen from across Mobile Bay on the Eastern Shore. Upon arrival firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire that had already breached the roof of the one-story, wood frame, and brick veneer structure. The owner, Dung Van Nguyen, 43, told investigators with Mobile Fire-Rescue he left to go to work at approximately 5 a.m. His girlfriend, Hanh Ngo, 38, left with her two children, ages 11 months and 2 years, at approximately 7:05 a.m. and walked across the street to her sister’s house. Moments later a neighbor of Ngo’s sister knocked on the door and advised them of the fire and called 911. Nguyen told investigators that he bought the house new approximately seven months ago and has had no problems with the house. One firefighter, Kenny Newman, was injured when another firefighter slipped from a ladder and fell on top of him. He was transported to Springhill Medical Center where he was later released. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no damage estimate is available at this time. Engines 1, 6, 22, truck 5, rescue 6, and District 2 Chief Bill Hunter responded to the fire. ###