A Dallas family is safe after their home caught fire Sunday evening, but multiple fire crews were needed to extinguish the large blaze.
Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to a report of a fire just before 6 p.m. at a two-story residence on Westgrove Drive in the Frankford Estates subdivision on October 15, according to CBS News Texas. Upon arrival, fire crews observed the flames coming from the second story of the home.
The occupants of the home were able to evacuate the premises before firefighters arrived.
Firefighters initially attempted to battle the flames from inside the home using hand lines. However, as the fire was already in advanced stages, crews were ordered out of the house and a second alarm response was requested. The fire call was later upgraded to a three-alarm situation.
A one-alarm fire response typically involves a minimum of two engines, a rescue unit, and a ladder truck, along with a battalion chief and accompanying firefighting personnel. A three-alarm fire call, which summons triple the amount of equipment and personnel, is for very large fires that may take considerable time to extinguish, according to Desert Fire.
A three-alarm response may also include a truck with snacks and drinks to support firefighters and a media relations team to relay information to any reporters on the scene.
Dale Almond, one of the volunteers who brought refreshments to the firefighters through Box4, told The Dallas Express in an email that he and other volunteers had been dispatched 181 times this year to support firefighters in the field.
“We stay busy. We are always looking for volunteers to help us,” said Almond in the email.
Between 70 and 80 firefighters responded to the blaze using 15 heavy apparatus. Eventually, firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.
The house sustained major damage, including a collapsed roof.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
