Friday, February 4, 2011

6200 Springfield Drive Fire Follow-Up


Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Fire Department

This morning the "Local Paper" is reporting that 11-year-old Kevin Boardman remains in critical condition at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia. He was airlifted there Thursday from Carolinas Medical Center, to receive specialized treatment for smoke inhalation.

The family's three other members, Bob and Cindy Boardman and son Tim, 17 remained in fair condition at CMC.

A report from the Charlotte Fire Department emailed to Cedar Posts late last night noted that the cause of the fire was accidental and also lists "no" working smoke detector.

The official report says in part:

On February 3rd, 2011 at 5:34 a.m. (10) Companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Heavy Rescue Company, (3) Battalion Chiefs, (2) Deputy Chiefs, and (4) Fire Investigators under the direction of Battalion Chief Stanley Reed responded to a reported house on fire at 6200 Springfield Drive.

Firefighters from nearby Station 3 arrived minutes later and reported heavy fire and smoke showing from a 2-story split level home. Crews sprinted into action by initiating a search of the structure and deploying hose lines to engage in a firefight with the fast spreading fire.


Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Fire Department

While conducting their search, firefighters located a young boy in the upstairs hallway. The 11 year old was rescued and taken to an area hospital for life threatening injuries.

(48) Firefighters were called to knockdown the fire and bring the incident under control in 1 hour. No other injuries to firefighters were reported however (2) cats were rescued.

Unfortunately a majority of the family’s cats and dogs perished. The Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force has determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. Damage to the structure and contents caused by the fire, fire control, smoke, and water were estimated at $150,000.

Charlotte fire Capt. Rob Brisley told the "Local Paper" that a barking dog and meowing cat helped rescuers located Kevin, who they found in a second-story hallway. The dog that signaled the boy's presence died in the fire.


Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Fire Department

The final entry in Charlotte Fire Department's After-Action Media Report states the following:

Fire Officials would like to remind the population to:

Stay Alert: Be sure to have a smoke alarm in your home
Stay Safe: Test the smoke alarm regularly
Stay Alive: Practice an escape plan and establish a meeting place



Update: Saturday February 4, 2011 WBTV News is reporting that 11 year old Kevin Boardman who was severely injured during the house fire Thursday, has passed away.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers for the entire family. Excellent work by our city's fire department. Kudos to all for being Charlotte's bravest.

Mandy Johnston - neighbor and friend

Anonymous said...

Been there, done that, decades ago. Smoke detector battery bad; kids woke up- all bedroom doors were closed- checked hall and got a whiff of smoke. They followed our annual 'fire drill' instructions, went out a window, woke a neighbor to call fire dept, then banged on parents window until the rest of us came out through that window. One child with minor smoke inhallation in hospital overnight, all survived. The smoke from a house fire is very toxic, lots of different poisons in it. Cannot "crawl under" or "just take one or two breaths."

Prayers for the Boardman's and for Kevin.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting the photos Cedar. They show just how fast that fire spread.

Question are you sure they didn't have smoke alarm? They cost nothing!

I don't want to say not having a working smoke alarm is dumb but its way f-ing dumb!

Anonymous said...

There is no excuse for this home not having smoke alarms as well as CO2 alarms they are cheap!

For God's sake you can buy two at Lowes for 14 dollars and they include the battery.

This home needed three, one on each level.

No reason at all for the 11 year old boy to be in the hospital, no excuse for being a lazy parent.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear the little fellow died...Prayers and condolences to the family.

Rea Road Neighborhood Coalition said...

Me too....