Wednesday, January 27, 1999
Fire's cause may remain a mystery
Anderson home damage: $900K
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — Nothing destroys evidence like a fire.
That is why the cause of a fire that did $900,000 damage to the home of Dr. Gregory and Nancy Williams in the 300 block of Bishopsbridge Drive on Dec. 29 may never be known, said Anderson Township Fire Chief Dan Esslinger. Arson is not suspected.
Chief Esslinger said investigators have done a thorough examination of rubbish left from the fire, which started in a garage attached to the house, but have not been able to figure out what caused the initial ignition.
“When there is a fire of this magnitude with excessive heat of 1,400 degrees, it destroys practically all the evidence,” Chief Esslinger said. “The heat was so high that it totally melted the wheels on three cars in the garage.”
The fire was one of seven in the township within two months. Four started in garages, one was a vehicle fire, and the cause of two others has not been determined.
The rash of fires has caused the township to appoint a committee to study whether more firefighters are needed, since the department's present staffing levels, established in 1991, may not be adequate.
The Bishopsbridge Drive fire also has sparked a debate among fire officials, safety specialists and home builders whether a sprinkler system could have stopped the fire.
John Henderson, safety specialist for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Clifton, said he thinks a sprinkler could have prevented that much destruction.
“If you are going to build a million-dollar home, it makes sense to put in sprinklers for safety,” Mr. Henderson said. “Sprinkler systems are designed to fight the fire before firefighters get there.”
In general, Chief Esslinger said, he agrees with Mr. Henderson.
“Most builders don't want to get involved because of the expense,” Chief Esslinger said. “Fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors are designed to alert people so that they can get to safety. Sprinklers are designed to put out fires.”
Alan Schmidt, president of the local Home Builders Association, is not convinced it's worth installing sprinklers in homes.
“The cost of installing them and the damages that are caused to houses when there are false alarms going off and no fire make sprinklers difficult and expensive,” Mr. Schmidt said.
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