A makeshift memorial marks the tragedy at a Claim St. apartment building where a fire took several lives this summer.  Photo by News Bulletin Staff.

In wake of fatal blaze, Aurora officials hit the community

Interacting with 13,000 people in 31 days seems like a tall order, but for the Aurora Fire Department, it is an essential mission to better educate local residents on fire safety – and possibly save lives in the process.

October is National Fire Prevention Month. “Having an Escape Plan for the Home” is this year’s theme and its importance is one that fire officials illustrate with Aurora's worst fire in its history this past May.
“Six people lost their lives in large part because they didn’t know what to do in the event of a fire,” said Deputy Aurora Fire Chief John Lehman. “The entire community suffered in this tragedy. It gives us renewed resolve to educate as many people as we can so this type of event will not be repeated.”
The May 15 fire at a 10-unit apartment complex at 716 Claim St. killed six people, three of whom were children, and injured 12 others.
In order to disseminate their important messages, such as the importance of smoke detectors and candle safety – the latter was deemed a possible cause of the Claim Street fire, firefighters have visited local businesses, factories, and supermarkets to interact directly with citizens.
They are also visiting many City functions and festivals and have placed fire safety inserts in church bulletins in both English and Spanish.
Officials will also be delivering more than 250 fire safety programs to Aurora students in kindergarten through second grade during the month which will target about 6,000 children.
Lehman said that an escape plan begins by drawing a map of the home, which includes all doors and windows. He added that everyone should know at least two ways of exiting every room if possible and to make sure doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
“Everyone in the home should be aware of it, discuss it and practice the plan at least twice per year including in the daylight and at night,” Lehman said. “There should be an outside meeting place a safe distance from the home where everyone should go in the event of a fire to make sure no one is trapped. It could be near a tree, light pole, or mailbox.”
Candle safety presents significant challenges in Aurora, according to Lehman, because they may be used in various cultural traditions and beliefs.
“They are a cause of home fires and home fire deaths nationwide,” he said. “A candle is an open flame that can easily ignite anything that can burn.”
Lehman cautioned that candles should be extinguished anytime someone leaves a room, or goes to bed, and their use should be avoided in bedrooms or other areas where people may fall asleep. Candle holders should be placed on a sturdy, uncluttered surface at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and candles should not be allowed to burn to their bases.
“Pull the candle out before it gets too close to the holder or container,” Lehman said.
He added that one of the best ways to prevent fire deaths and injuries is to make sure smoke detectors are working properly.
They should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. Smoke detector batteries should be replaced at least once per year, replaced right away if the device “chirps,” which signals a low battery, and tested monthly using the test button.
“Working smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half,” Lehman said.
Fliers detailing home escape routes, candle safety and the importance of smoke detectors along with other fire prevention material are available in both English and Spanish by visiting the City’s website and clicking on the fire prevention tab and choosing fire safety brochures under the community link.