Today at 08:11 PM, the Holland Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a residential fire at 1003 College Avenue. The first unit arrived on scene at 08:16 PM and reported a working fire with heavy smoke showing from the single story, single family residence. It was at that time, firefighters learned that a male resident inside at the time of the fire was able to escape however not before being injured. The resident was placed in the immediate care of paramedics that arrived on scene from AMR.
First arriving firefighters then initiated fire control to stop the advance of the fire and a primary search to locate any other potential occupants. As additional fire personnel began to arrive on scene, they completed a search of the whole residence in heavy smoke conditions with almost no visibility. Once this primary search was completed it was determined that there were no other residents or pets inside.
The fire was brought under control and crews remained on scene until approximately 10:00 PM, completing overhaul, which is the process of locating and extinguishing fire that could in hidden voids and spaces.
The male patient was transported to Holland Hospital by American Medical Response for evaluation and treatment for minor burn injuries.
Damage estimates are not available at this time however the residence sustained fire damage to the kitchen and dining room area and smoke damage throughout. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the department’s Fire Marshal however it appears to be unintentional and a result of cooking.
The Holland Police Department and American Medical Response assisted the department during this incident.
This is the third significant residential fire in Holland since the first of the year that has resulted in injury to an occupant. The department would like to remind community members to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their homes and to test them at least once a month.
To assist in preventing fires we encourage everyone to go to the department’s web page and download the “Residential Fire Safety Checklist.” This document provides a list of items to help prevent fire but also includes what to do and plan for in the event of a fire. The following is a link to the checklist.
https://www.cityofholland.com/DocumentCenter/View/490/Residential-Fire-Safety-Checklist-PDF
For questions or additional information please contact, Captain Chris Tinney at 616-355-1023.