Tuesday night fire destroys Browntown garage, sends one to local hospital

Photo courtesy of Warren County Fire Department

At 7:09 PM on October 8, 2019, Warren County Fire and Rescue Units, along with Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to 80 Smelser Lane in the Browntown area of Warren County for a reported residential house fire with multiple people entrapped.

Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters were able to confirm a detached two-car garage was fully involved with fire spreading to the adjoining single-family home and shed. The occupants of the home were unable to escape, as their normal entrance was blocked by the radiant heat produced by the fire, and the secondary exits were blocked with furniture. While the adjoining home and shed received damages, firefighters were able to remove the occupant(s) from the home within minutes and began fire suppression activities. The other occupant, who was inside the garage at the time of the fire, was injured when escaping the fire through an open window. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within 38 minutes of being reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico at 540-636-3830, or Investigator Scott Baker with the Sheriff’s Office at 540-635-7100 or 540-635-4128.

Fire Chief Richard E. Mabie stated “this is a prime example why everyone in our community should take time this Fire Prevention Week to practice their fire escape plan.” This incident could have quickly resulted in the “unthinkable.” For more information on how to improve the fire safety in your home, visit www.warrencountyfire.com.