***PRESS RELEASE***
CITY OF BRENTWOOD
FIRE AND RESCUE
From: Fire Chief Brian Goss
Date: October 24, 2011
Subject: Press Release: Structure Fire Investigation at 17 Oxmoor Court, Brentwood
STRUCTURE FIRE AT 17 OXMOOR COURT, GOVERNORS CLUB
At approximately 10:00 p.m. Friday night Brentwood Fire & Rescue personnel were dispatched to a structure fire at 17 Oxmoor Ct. in Governors Club. Upon arrival just minutes later, Engine 4 reported black smoke coming from the eves and chimney area. Moments later they reported a working attic fire.
Crews made an aggressive attack via an interior stairwell and quickly located the main body of fire. Crews were attacking the fire when it broke through the roof on the C (right) side of the home approximately 10 minutes after arrival. Interior crews continued to make progress and the fire had completely darkened down when it moved through an adjacent attic space. The roof structure was complex and the attic contained several cuts and void spaces which enabled the fire to travel unchecked. The home also contained a heavy slate roof which held the heat, impeded roof-top ventilation, and lead to early roof collapse simply due to sheer weight (27 pounds per square foot). Heavy slate tiles the size and weight of bricks were falling around fire personnel all night.
Franklin Fire Department was alerted and sent an Engine and Command Officer to assist. Brentwood also initiated a “group callback” to bring our off-duty firefighters to the stations. A total of 35-40 Brentwood Fire Personnel responded to the scene. The fire was deemed under control at approximately 3:00 a.m., although resources would remain on scene for the next 24-hours. Brentwood Fire & Rescue personnel removed three pets, four cars, and several boxes of photos and belongings. The fire was held to the roof, attic and part of the second floor with water damage to the basement and first floor.
No occupant was injured and one firefighter experienced a slight ankle sprain. The Fire Investigator remains on scene today to determine the specific nature and cause of the fire, believed to have started in or around a fireplace chimney. No loss has been calculated.
Crews responded to a second chimney fire just twelve hours later in the Cool Springs area. As we enter into the winter season, all citizens are reminded to have their fireplace chimneys inspected annually.
