Grape Creek – Two firefighters were injured trying to reach the occupant of a burning house at 381 John Taylor Road on Friday.
The deceased occupant’s body was found near the front porch of the burning structure. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the fire and cause.
“The SBI is assisting in the fire origin part of the case. Our investigation is ongoing. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency on the case,” said Chad Flowers, the SBI’s public information director.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office did not respond for a request for information in time for the Cherokee Scout’s deadline.
Two firefighters were injured, one from thermal burns and the other when the floor collapsed. They were evaluated by Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services but not transported.
“Thermal burn minor, leg injury to be determined, has been referred to ortho for evaluation,” Murphy Fire Chief Al Lovingood told the Scout in a text. “Firefighters take a lot of risk in attempting to rescue trapped occupants when an identified potential survivable space exists and our personnel did just that, resulting in 2 injuries.”
The dispatch went at 2:14 p.m. Friday. Murphy Fire Department personnel were first to arrive at 2:31, with the first engine arriving at 2:33 and the first tanker arriving at 2:39 – both from Murphy.
Other agencies at the fire included firefighters from Grape Creek, Unaka, Valleytown and N.C. Forestry. Cherokee County EMA, Emergency Management and the sheriff’s office were also at the scene. The majority of the blaze was under control by 3:02 p.m.
“Murphy Fire responded as automatic aid to Station 16, residential fire with entrapment, 381 John Taylor Road,” according to a report from the Murphy Fire Department. “Secondary information provided by Cherokee County Dispatch, per the 911 caller, structure fully involved with confirmed entrapment.”
Entrapment refers to a person inside the burning building.
“Upon arrival of Division Chief Brian King at 14:31, single story residential approximately 50% involved,” according to the Murphy Fire Department report. “Walk-around completed, vehicle adjacent to the structure on the B (left) side involved, spot fires had extended into vegetation, electrical service line on the ground on the C (back) side of structure, identified possible survival space on the D (right) side of the structure, command established.”
“Survival space” refers to a portion of the building where the occupant could survive if located there.
“Command requested the response of forestry for vegetation fires and BRMEMC (Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp., the electric company serving that area) for electrical service line on the ground.
“Upon arrival of Engine 1154, personnel deployed 1.75-inch pre-connect for transitional attack on A (front) side of structure and to provide protection for personnel to conduct a vent-enter-search through D side windows. Personnel conducted two separate vent-enter-searches on both D side bedrooms.”
Unaka Fire personnel and civilians deployed supply line from Engine 1154 in driveway to John Taylor Road for water supply. Tanker 1161 arrived at 2:39 p.m. and supplied Engine 1154 with water.
“Personnel made entry through D side window into bedroom for interior fire attack and search potential survival spaces,” the report said. “Interior personnel encountered dark, dense smoke, increasing fire and deteriorating conditions upon opening nozzle. As they approached interior bedroom door, personnel were forced to evacuate.
“Personnel converted A side bedroom window into a door and following a brief exterior fire attack, personnel entered through this opening for interior operations and search. Personnel continued to search identified potential survival spaces, no victim located.
“Fire attack was changed to a defensive operation, and a victim was located on the A (front) side of the structure on porch: open (finished), (per tax office abbreviation). Advised Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office personnel who were on scene. Partially collapsed porch overhead framing and roof were stabilized with roof ladder and struts to prevent further collapse. Cherokee County Fire Marshal and CCSO investigators conducted initial evaluation.
“Personnel again entered the A side door converted from window to control remaining burning areas and initiated overhaul operations to protect victim from surrounding fire areas.
“Upon approval from law enforcement, personnel removed the victim from the structure,” the report said. “Personnel resumed and completed a majority of overhaul operations. Personnel consulted with Grape Creek personnel on scene who advised they would assume overhaul operations and Station 11 could release.”