Remains of House Fire In Sorrento

Lake County Firefighters responded to a house fire Wednesday afternoon off Vine Street in Sorrento. The first arriving firefighters arrived in just minutes but flames and smoke were already pouring out of the house bedroom window and roof. Neighbors called the fire in when they discovered the blaze.

“Firefighters were able to get a knock down on the fire and immediately went into searching for any occupants inside the house. It was extremely challenging for the two firefighters that arrived on the first engine. Not only were they battling 100 plus degree heat outside, they had to do a search in a very dangerous fire environment right away when their backup engine crew was another 8 minutes behind them. This really elevates the risks for firefighters when we only have two of them on scene and they must make a search” explains Lt. Brian Gamble, Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Lake County. “When we do not have any information if there was anyone inside the house, we always have to assume there may be someone trapped. Unless the owners or occupants meet us outside when we arrive, we have to assume someone may be inside.”

Two firefighters searched inside the house and found a body in the fire room. “Unfortunately, she was way beyond being able to be revived or saved as she was in the room that most of the fire was in. At that point our firefighters identified that there was a deceased person inside and contacted law enforcement and the state fire marshal for further investigation.”

“Our firefighters arrived on scene very quickly, but the delay in calling 9-1-1 gave the fire a head start.” No smoke detectors were noted as being activated in the house and the fire and cause of death is still under investigation.

“We are not sure if the smoke detectors would have created a different outcome. If there had been smoke detectors, would the resident have been alerted earlier? Absolutely. We believe smoke detectors save lives” reports Gamble.

Lake County Fire Rescue has a special grant assistance program for families that cannot afford a smoke detector in their home and does not currently have one. If you are in need of a smoke detector and cannot afford one, contact Lake County Department of Public Safety for more information on the program at 352-343-9458 or online at lakecountygovernment.com