A store sign's electrical shortage was to blame for a structure fire at a furniture outlet in Midland Sunday evening, according to officials.
Firefighters were called to Furniture Row at 2700 W. Loop 250 N. around 6:17 p.m. after the shortage caught the wall behind the sign on fire, according to Midland Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Clark. Nine units responded to the fire.
Damage was limited to the building's facade, near the upper left hand corner of the Oak Express sign. Firefighters worked for about an hour to put out the fire and ensure that no smoldering pieces remained.
The fire allowed responders to continue a test run of a new "Squad 51" unit that officials said will help firefighters respond more efficiently to a variety of calls. The quick response units would have full paramedic capabilities, and each vehicle would be staffed by two people, according to Clark.
"It's a more efficient way to get people on scene," he said.
MFD is using a utility truck for the 30-day trial, and will consider adding specialized, rescue squad vehicles to its fleet if the test run proves successful.
Officials participating in the test run responded to 10 calls on the first day of the trial Friday, and the Furniture Row fire marked the unit's sixth call of the day Sunday.
Paramedic firefighter Kris Hickman was one of the first responders Sunday evening via the quick response vehicle. After noticing smoke coming from the building's sign, the unit determined the situation called for more firefighting units, Hickman said.
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Copyright 2012 - Midland Reporter-Telegram, Texas
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
