Backdraft triggers explosion at house fire

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By James Cummings, Staff Writer Updated 9:38 AM Thursday, June 25, 2009

DAYTON — Dayton firefighters were caught by surprise when a backdraft caused an explosion that blew out a section of drywall while they were dealing with a routine house fire.

“Something like that can be dangerous,” said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Caudill of the Dayton fire department. “A wall blowing out can knock a firefighter’s mask off or anything.”

No firefighters were injured in the incident, and the residents in the duplex where the fire happened also escaped unharmed, Caudill said.

Dayton fire investigator Vicki Carr said the fire apparently was started by careless disposal of smoking materials. The fire caused about $10,000 damage.

The fire was reported in a duplex in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue at 2:38 a.m., Caudill said. Most of the flames were contained quickly, and the backdraft occurred after the main fire had been put out.

Caudill, who said he was not on the Grand Avenue scene, explained that a backdraft can occur when combustible materials that have been deprived of oxygen suddenly get enough air to burn freely.

He said if a fire is burning in a confined space, such as in a cavity behind a wall, heat builds up and carbon monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, can accumulate. When such a fire gets access to oxygen it can flare up explosively.

Caudill said the firefighters on the Grand Avenue scene apparently were going through the duplex checking for hidden fire. They made an opening in a wall, and the opening provided enough oxygen for the accumulated carbon monoxide and other combustible materials to explode.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2395 or jcummings@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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