According U.S. Fire Administration statistics, around 365,000 residential fires occurred with more than 2,000 deaths and almost 14,000 injuries in 2011 (the latest figures available). Studies also say that fire related incidents placed third in the leading cause of fatal home injury and are the fifth common cause of unintentional injury death. Indeed, the losses of lives and properties attributed to fires occurring in homes are quite disconcerting.
Just recently in Maryland, a townhouse fire occurred that caused considerable damage to property, according to this report by The Baltimore Sun:
A North Laurel house caught fire Thursday night, likely displacing a Howard County family from their home, fire department officials said.
Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services firefighters and paramedics responded to the home in the 10700 block of Graeloch Rd. just after 9 p.m. About 40 firefighters and paramedics kept the blaze from spreading through the whole house and put out the fire in roughly 20 minutes, officials said.
No one was injured, but the home was expected to be declared uninhabitable Thursday night, officials said.
The cause of fire is under investigation, officials said.
Of course, flames can start when you least expect them to, but it should be reiterated that residential fires are preventable if homeowners are responsible enough to adopt safety measures. You can ask building experts about available building materials such as siding, windows, and roofing that are designed to mitigate the damage of fire accidents.
For those who are in the process of building their new homes, you can ask our professional roofers in Maryland about the less combustible type of roof that can impede a furious fire from spreading, thus, you can still take measures to stop or escape.
With the assistance of Blair Construction, you may also check if you a need roof repair in Maryland because damaged roof is also prone to fire.
(Article Excerpt from North Laurel house fire displaces family by Colin Campbell, The Baltimore Sun, July 17, 2014)