Deployment Stories

Fire Interruption Technology Saves Pennsylvania Duplex from Living Room Fire

Harleysville, PA
January 2010

First to arrive on scene of a fire on the second floor of a duplex home in Harleysville, PA, Fire Chief Todd Burns of the Harleysville Fire Company deployed his Fire Interruption Technology device through the second floor window into the living room where the fire started, knocking down flames, preventing the spread of fire, and buying time until crews arrived on scene.

Approximately four minutes after the device was deployed, the responding truck arrived on scene to find most of the flames extinguished. The interior crew used about 10 gallons of water to put out the remainder of the fire.

“[Fire Interruption Technology] was able to cut down heat tremendously and let the crew come into the room quickly and finish putting out the rest of the fire”, said Chief Burns.

Had it not been for the quick knock down of Fire Interruption Technology, the department estimates that the structure would have been a total loss. By containing the fire to the living room, Ara's device prevented spread of flames to the walls, the apartment below, and the attic where there was blown-in insulation. “If the fire would have spread to the attic it would have taken off quickly and caused much more damage”, said Chief Burns. “[Fire Interruption Technology] was able to prevent that from happening.”

While the room where the fire originated suffered extensive heat damage, the rest of the residence did not suffer significant damage.

Not only did Ara's device prevent spread of flames, it also reduced the subsequent use of water required to overhaul and fight the remaining flames. Thanks to Fire Interruption Technology, the apartment unit below the fire room did not suffer much water damage and is still inhabitable.

The family’s two cats that were inside the structure during the fire were safely evacuated.

Damage caused by fire, heat, and smoke in the living room of the Harleysville duplex. The remainder of the house remained free from damage.

First in truck arrived 4 minutes after Ara's device was deployed. Limited amount of water was used to put out the remainder of the flames.

The next day view of the structure. The duplex is still standing thanks in part to Fire Interruption Technology.

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