05/21/2026
The importance of having working smoke detectors
PLEASE READ
HFD was dispatched at 5:17am to a possible fire in a structure. The homeowners were woken up by their smoke detector sounding. Initially thinking the batteries were low, but the chirping persisted. The homeowners evacuated the home and met us outside.
After an extensive search, HFD identified a hotspot in the bathroom ceiling. After breaching the ceiling, it was clear that there has been a slow burning fire throughout the trusses and supports in the roofline. The cause… we suspect a lightning strike!!⚡️
A second crew went up on the roof and found the entry point of the lightning strike, directly above the bathroom.
This is one of those stories that had there not been a witness, no one would believe it. And this is a story worth sharing!
And this is an important message to having working smoke detectors!! The smoke detector, directly outside the bathroom and in the hallway outside the bedrooms, started to chirp even without visible smoke or flames. The only indication was a smell of smoke. With the quick action of the homeowners to call 9-1-1, we were able to extinguish and contain it. If they continued to believe it was low battery, it may have been too late by the time HFD arrived.
Please test your smoke detectors today!🔥🚒
