March 12, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-20) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE HEAVILY DAMAGES LARGE 2-STORY HOUSE Fire caused heavy damage to a large, 2-story, wood frame structure located at 1111 Springhill Avenue Monday, March 12, 2001. The fire was reported at approximately 12:09 p.m. after the owner, Michael Hamade, 62, was notified by a passerby in his business next door to the structure. Firefighters arrived at approximately 12:14 p.m. and reported heavy fire coming from the roof and second floor of the structure. Moments after arrival a 2nd alarm assignment was called for to assist with extinguishing the fire. Firefighters had the fire under control within 30-45 minutes. The fire appears to have originated in the attic above a back upstairs bedroom. The fire spread throughout the attic and through the roof. There was also fire damage to the second floor of the structure with water damage to the first floor. Witnesses reported heavy lightening in the area but Mobile Fire Investigators have found no obvious lightening strikes to the structure. Also Fire Investigators have ruled out Arson or any suspicious cause of the fire. The cause remains under investigation at this time. There is no damage estimate at this time but will probably be over $100 thousand. Hamade lives in the house with his wife, two children and one grand child. The house is located next to his business. No injuries were reported. Engines 3, 8, 11, truck 17, rescue 23 and District 1 Chief Martin Stanley responded on the 1st alarm. Engines 2, 14, truck 4 and District Chief Ricky Brannon responded on the 2nd alarm response. ###