Fire Prevention Week: Report

to the Community
RICHMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT – OCTOBER 7, 2021
2021 Fire Prevention Week

Sunday, October 3 – Saturday, October 9

Fire Loss in the U.S.
 In 2020, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.4 million fires
 These fires caused 3,500 civilian fire deaths and 15,200 reported civilian fire injuries
 Property damage was estimated at $21.9 billion
 On average, a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds in 2020
 A home structure fire was reported every 89 seconds
 A home fire death occurred every 3 hours and 24 minutes
 A home fire injury occurred every 46 minutes
 74% of all fire deaths were caused by home fires

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Fire Deaths in VA & City of Richmond
 48 fire fatalities in Virginia from January 1, 2021- October 1, 2021
 11 fire fatalities in City of Richmond during that same period
 We have recorded nearly ¼ of fire deaths in VA
2021 Fatal Fires
1. January 23 – 3112 Baronet Drive

2. March 10 – 609 West 34th Street

3. March 16 – 2219 Royall Avenue

4. April 27 – 3206 5th Avenue

5. April 30 – 3206 Delaware Avenue

6. June 20 – 1501 North 21st Street

7. August 15 – 4221 Banton Street (3)

8. August 31 – 1413 Vinton Street (2)

 2021 Fatal Fire Victims

Jasmine Allen, 22
Kadyn Allen, 4
Noble Spurlock, 77 Jadae Copeland, 9 months
3112 Baronet Drive 4221 Banton Street

Andrew Via, 57 Clara Humphrey, 84

2219 Royall Avenue Ray Humphrey, 84
1413 Vinton Street
 2021 Fatal Fires Breakdown
1. January 23 – 3112 Baronet Drive
► Victim: Noble Spurlock, 77
1 2 ► No working smoke alarms
► Double-sided deadbolts
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: electrical
2. March 10 – 609 West 34th Street
► Victim: Elizabeth Adams, 75
► No smoke alarms
► Hoarding conditions
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: electrical
3 4 3. March 16 – 2219 Royall Avenue
► Victim: Andrew Via, 57
► No smoke alarms, no running water
► Hoarding conditions
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: improperly discarded
smoking materials
4. April 27 – 3206 5th Avenue
► Victim: Tanica Bryant, 45
► No smoke alarms
► Went back inside to try & get dogs
► Cause of fire: undetermined
 2021 Fatal Fires Breakdown (Cont’d)
5. April 30 – 3206 Delaware Avenue
► Victim: Leroy Davis, 75
5 6 ► Had smoke alarm
► Hoarding conditions
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: electrical
6. June 20 – 1501 North 21st Avenue
► Victim: Gavin Gonse, 68
► Had smoke alarms
► Fire contained to room, extinguished when crews arrived
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: smoking activity
7 8
7. August 15 – 4221 Banton Street
► Victims: Jasmine Allen, 22; Kadyn Allen,4;
Jadae Copeland, 9 months
► No working smoke alarms
► Cause of fire: undetermined
8. August 31 – 1413 Vinton Street
► Victims: Clara Humphrey, 84; Ray Humphrey, 84
► Deaf/hard of hearing
► No working smoke alarms
► Cause of fire: accidental
► Source of ignition: improperly discarded smoking materials
2021 Fatal Fires – Commonalities
 Smoke alarm issues: 6 of the 8 residences did not have a working/properly functioning
smoke alarm or any smoke alarm at all
 Age of victims: a majority (6 of the 11) were older or senior individuals
 Living conditions: several of the victims lived in homes with evidence of hoarding
conditions
 Causes of fire/sources of ignition: smoking or improperly discarded smoking materials
(3), electrical (3)
Home Structure Fires in U.S.

 Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths, while cooking is the leading
cause of home fires and home fire injuries
 Most home fires and fire casualties result from five causes:
1. Cooking
2. Heating
3. Electrical distribution and lighting equipment
4. Intentional fire setting
5. Smoking materials

Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Fire Safety Five to Stay Alive
Preventing Fire Injuries & Deaths

West 34th Street

Royall Avenue

Banton Street Vinton Street

Neighborhood canvassing after fatal fires

Fire Safety Canvassing
• Since the beginning of May, our crews have
canvassed more than 15,000 homes across the City of
Richmond and installed more than 400 smoke alarms.
• We've spoken to nearly 20 neighborhood associations
about fire safety - hoping to prevent another tragedy.
Fire Prevention Week – Local Focus

“One life lost is one life too many”

Fire Prevention Week: Report
to the Community
RICHMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT – OCTOBER 7, 2021