Engine 15 and Truck 16 were dispatched at 10:29 AM for what was reported to be a defective furnace in the two-story apartment house in the 1400 block of Morris Road, Southeast. c As the units neared the location, they detected smoke in the area, and when they arrived on the scene - they discovered heavy smoke coming from the attic of 1474 Morris Road. They signaled for the box alarm to be filled - and as Command 3 arrived, it was clear the fire had progressed from the first floor through the second floor and through the roof.
A second alarm was sounded as first arriving units began fire suppression operations. It was noticed that the bulk of the fire damage was on the first floor around the furnace in the back of the structure. A thorough search by Squad 3 located no occupants, and the fire was declared under control within an hour.
Two firefighters suffered what were described as minor injuries and were transported for observation.
Fire investigators were continuing to determine an exact cause. A damage estimate was still being calculated. At least two people were displaced.
