Investigator: more smoke detectors can save lives

'TWO TIMES WE WATCHED IT BURN' said neighbors of the house on Emerald Drive in Holmwood that caught fire the evening of July 24, and then reignited early July 25. No one was injured, but little was left standing of the home belonging to Carlin and Latasha Limbrick. Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson said initial indictions are that it was probably caused an electrical problem. Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr

Joel Moore with the SIU (special investigative unit) of Farm Bureau Insurance sifted through the rubble of what was left of Carlin and Latasha Limbrick's home on Emerald Drive in Holmwood last week.

The fire broke out the evening of July 24, and then reignited early July 25. Not much is left of the house, but there were no injuries to the family or firefighters.

It was a routine investigation for Moore, who has seen thousands of fires in his 11 years as a fire investigator. Before that, Moore spent 25 years as a firefighter.

"It looks like the Jasper volunteers did a good job on fire suppression," Moore said while examining the ruins.

Newsboy photo/ Charles Kerr SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR Joel Moore has examined many fire scenes in his 36-year fire career. He says if he could tell home owners one thing to save their lives, it would be get smoke detectors.

Moore said it appeared the fire started above a closet in the bedrooms and was likely caused by an electrical problem. The intense heat melted the tops of clothes hangers,

but when the clothes fell to the floor, it was cool enough that neither they nor the carpet were consumed.

"The thing I love about fire is that it is scientifically provable. It behaves the same way and moves the same way every time according to principals you can clearly investigate," Moore said.

"The patterns (of this fire) are consistent with it starting above the closet and moving rapidly through the attic."

He said he knew it was hottest up top because it consumed the wiring in the attic (copper melts at over 1500 degrees), but that plastic parts of plugs near the floor were still identifiable.

"It's good the family got out in time," Moore said. "If I could tell folks just one thing about fire safety it would be to have working smoke detectors. Not just one, not just two, but several detectors and at least one in every sleeping area of a home."

Moore said he has already seen three fatalities this month, and all could have been averted had smoke detectors been in place.

"It's a state law that new construction has hard-wired smoke detectors with battery back up," Moore said. "And not every landlord knows this, but they are required to install and maintain smoke detectors in rent houses.

"I recommend they keep a record every six months of basic maintenance. If they find the renters are taking batteries out, they need to log it for their own protection," Moore said.

A benefit account for the Limbricks has been set up at Texas State Bank.