A member of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company installs a smoke detector.
Following a New Year’s Day fire that damaged three homes and displaced three families in the Towamencin Condominiums development, members of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company returned to the scene on Thursday night to promote fire safety.
According to Public Information Officer Dean Miller, 15 members of the fire company—along with three vehicles—engaged with residents along Continental Drive and Heritage Drive, handing out smoke detectors and fresh batteries for existing units. Additionally, the fire company distributed materials about fire prevention, and walked residents through evacuation planning in case of a fire.
“This is the first time recently that we have tried to canvass an area to raise fire safety awareness,” said Miller.
Crews from the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to Towamencin Condominiums at 1:30 a.m. on New year’s Day for a report of a building fire. Though no residents were injured, the damage to the homes was described as “rather extensive,” and all three were rendered uninhabitable. There are conflicting reports regarding whether or not the homes had working smoke detectors, according to an official with the fire company.
The fire company is urging all residents to practice fire safety every day, including having a practiced escape plan and ensuring that smoke detectors are in place and working properly. Miller adds that residents should set an annual smoke detector “birthday”—such as Daylight Savings—to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors.
See also:
Crews Battling Fire at Syrena Collision Center in Montgomeryville
New Year’s Day Fire Displaces Three Families in Towamencin
Toy Package Left at Hatfield Wawa Causes Bomb Scare
Lansdale's Fairmount Fire Company Struggles to Find Recruits
Christmas Fire in Lansdale Displaces Family, Kills Dog
