May 10, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2012-32) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org SECOND ALARM FIRE AT CARRIAGE INN APARTMENTS Firefighters responded to what would eventually become a second alarm fire at the Carriage Inn Apartments, located at 276 South Sage Avenue, on Thursday, May 10. The call was received at approximately 7:58 a.m. and firefighters arrived shortly after reporting heavy fire coming from the balcony of the two-story, wood frame and brick veneer apartment building. Because of the size of the building, location of the fire and amount of fire upon arrival a second alarm assignment was called for. The fire originated in Apartment 210 and spread through a window onto the balcony and into a crawl space above the apartment. The building originally had a flat roof and a second roof with a pitch was built over it. Because the fire had gotten into that crawl space firefighters had to cut holes in the roof to gain access to the fire and extinguish it. Through the quick actions of the firefighters and despite having to cut holes in the roof to completely extinguish the fire, they were able to keep the fire contained to the apartment of origin. There were two apartments that received some water damage and five that had mostly minor smoke damage The lone female occupant told fire investigators that she had placed something on the stove, went to the bathroom and was on the phone. While there she smelled smoke and came out to discover flames on the stove extending into the cabinets. She received smoke inhalation and was transported to USAMC for further treatment. Investigators determined the fire was accidental and caused by a grease fire. No other injuries were reported. No damage estimate has been made as of yet. There were approximately 12 fire units and over 44 firefighters were on the scene firefighting the fire. The Bureau of Fire Prevention is conducting the investigation. ###