Two-Alarm Structure Fire on SpringHill Avenue

MOBILE, Ala. – At approximately 21:00 hours, Mobile Fire-Rescue Department companies were dispatched to the 800 block of SpringHill Avenue, near the intersection of SpringHill Avenue and Broad Street, for reports of a residential structure on fire. Upon arrival on scene, fire personnel confirmed smoke and flames visible from the exterior of a multi-story, duplex-style, residential dwelling.

The wood-framed structure presented with multiple rooms, with inhabitants reportedly inside. All occupants were confirmed to have successfully escaped the building prior to MFRD arrival on scene.

Fire scene operations were established, as crews assumed roles in efforts to mitigate the incident. A 2^nd-alarm response was requested to the scene at approximately 21:19, as the size of the structure and rapidly-growing fire were taken into consideration. Eleven (11) total crews of firefighters – engine companies, ladder trucks, medical units, fire investigators, and command staff – coordinated on scene to protect the lives and property of Mobile.

With charged hose lines in tow, fire suppression teams quickly entered the structure to begin their fire attack, while search teams swept through the interior of the structure, quickly examining each room for potentially-trapped, lost, or injured occupants.

Search crews confirmed that the structure was clear of civilians; however, 2 pets (1 dog and 1 cat) were discovered inside of the building and safely removed without harm.

Fire Investigators confirmed that the fire began in the area of breaker boxes/panels on the exterior of the building. The fire quickly climbed the outside walls before breaking through to the interior attic. Fire crews made use of several attic entry points and “crawl spaces” discovered in the building to access and successfully quell the growing fire.

Neither civilians nor firefighters were injured during the incident.

The cause of the fire has been deemed accidental, stemming from exterior electrical panels/breaker boxes.