July 15, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-58) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org VACANT TWO STORY HOUSE DAMAGED BY FIRE On Monday evening, July 14 at approximately 9:40 p.m. Mobile Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a two-story vacant house located at 101 Michael Donald Avenue on the corner of Old Shell Road. Firefighters stationed at Melton Fire Station, located on Lafayette Street, reported seeing the flames and glow of the fire as they were responding to the fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene at approximately 9:44 p.m. reporting heavy fire coming from the roof and second floor of the structure, it was also noted that the roof had partially collapsed into the second floor area. A second alarm was later called for to bring in additional manpower to combat the blaze. Firefighters were able to protect nearby structures from being involved in the fire as well as preventing the fire from spreading to the first floor of the wood frame structure. One of the owners, Sally Ramey, told Mobile Fire Investigators that she owned the structure along with her son, Mark Ramey, who was a private contractor in Iraq and that the structure had been vacant for approximately three years. Neighbors told investigators that they had, on numerous occasions, seen people who did not belong go inside the structure. It was believed that there was possible illegal drug or other illegal activity may have been occurring in the empty structure. The cause of the fire remains under investigation that this time and no injuries were reported. Damage to the structure is estimated at approximately $40 thousand. Six engines, two ladder trucks, one rescue truck, two Deputy Chiefs, two District Chiefs and other support personnel responded to the fire. ###