Elderly Couple Injured in Temple House Fire Pass Away
Sad news out of Temple, where two senior citizens pulled from a burning home early Wednesday morning have passed away.
In a media update issued at 3:12 PM Wednesday, Public Information Officer Santos Soto wrote, "Temple Fire and Rescue has learned that the elderly couple pulled from the house fire this morning at 902 S 21st Street, have both succumbed to the injuries they sustained in the early morning blaze."
Temple Fire & Rescue crews along with police and EMS were dispatched to the home at 2:46 AM after a passerby noticed the flames. Fire damage to the exterior of the home was minimal, but the home was full of heavy smoke when firefighters entered to search for residents. An official cause of death had yet to be declared by a medical examiner or justice of the peace as of early Wednesday afternoon.
According to Soto, deputy fire marshals investigating the fire have determined it was electrical in nature, and may have been storm related. Investigators found one smoke alarm in the home, but said it did not appear to have been in working condition.
"Please be aware that smoke alarms typically have a 10 year service life, and to test your alarm once a month," Soto wrote. "If you have questions about your smoke alarms please contact Temple Fire and Rescue at 254-298-5682."
I couldn't agree more with PIO Soto. Flames can spread quickly in your home, and smoke can become thick fast. According to the National Fire Protection Association, residents of the average home have about two minutes to safely escape their home once those smoke alarms go off. Imagine if you didn't have them (or they weren't working) and you were caught off guard. It's a scary thought.
It's also important to know where to place your smoke alarms so that they're most effective and give you the earliest, clearest warning. Check out the video below for quick tips on how to install them the smart way.