Two men were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition after a fierce house fire tore through a home in south St. Louis early Wednesday morning. Fire crews rolled up just after 2 a.m. to find heavy smoke and flames shooting from the structure. One man was found outside, while a second had to be pulled from inside the burning home before both were transported for emergency treatment.
What crews found
According to First Alert 4, the St. Louis City Fire Department says the fire broke out shortly after 2 a.m. and was already well involved when firefighters arrived. Crews reported that one man had made it outside, while another was still trapped and had to be rescued from inside the home. Utility crews from Ameren were called in because of live wires in front of the house, adding another layer of danger at the scene.
Firefighters urge alarm checks
"It's usually the smoke that's more deadly than the fire," Capt. Garon Mosby told First Alert 4. He urged residents to confirm smoke alarms are installed, have working power and are tested regularly so they can provide crucial early warning when seconds count.
Smoke alarms and survival
Research from the National Fire Protection Association shows how much difference that warning can make. The group found the death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was about 60 percent lower when smoke alarms were operating. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of a home, and testing them monthly.
Neighbors should stay clear of hazards
Neighbors are urged to keep a safe distance from any downed or low-hanging power lines, and to report potential electrical hazards to Ameren so crews can secure the area. If there is an immediate threat or you smell gas, officials advise calling 911 and letting firefighters and utility workers handle the danger up close.
