Saturday, January 01, 2000
Silence of alarms questioned in fire
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Silent fire alarms had residents of River Terrace Condominiums questioning their safety Friday after a small fire forced them to evacuate the high-rise complex in East Walnut Hills.
An alarm, activated by a resident, sounded on the fourth floor of the Ingleside Avenue building where the fire broke out in a condominium around noon. But alarms did not go off on the 12-story building's other floors, said Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk, who has lived on the top floor for six years with his wife, Deanna.
“We were alerted by a fireman who pounded on our door,” Rabbi Gottschalk said. “Thank God for him. That's how we knew to get out.”
He said the alarms previously have sounded on all floors simultaneously during fire drills. He questioned whether there was a malfunction.
Fire officials said they weren't aware of any alarm problems.
“That would have to be investigated,” said Capt. Thomas Lakamp of Engine 23, the first company to reach the fire.
Officials from Towne Properties, which manages the River Terrace, could not be reached for comment. Their offices were closed because of the holiday weekend.
The fire, which apparently was ignited by a candle,, was confined to a dining area and living room in the fourth floor condominium. Damage was estimated at about $30,000.
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