On July 20, a call came in at about 3:20 a.m. to the North Royalton Fire Department reporting that smoke was coming from an area on Akins Road. When the fire department arrived, the house was fully engulfed and flames were seen coming from the roof. Brunswick and Broadview Heights responded, as well as Hinckley, Strongsville and Middleburg Heights and Brecksville. Parma Heights EMS squad also responded. Broadview Road and Akins Roads were closed to traffic.
There was heavy fire in the attic and visible fire on the first floor. There was no one home at the time. The house was being renovated. The scene was cleared at about 5:50 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A 2017 report issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), shows that while the majority of structural fires do occur in occupied and operating buildings, new construction and buildings undergoing major renovations accounted for an estimated 6,310 fires yearly. On average 2,130 fires occur annually in structures that are being demolished. These types of fires result in an average of 13 deaths, 132 injuries, and more than $300 million in property damages each year.
There is a higher number of combustible, flammable materials around when building and renovating a home, as many types of building materials are highly combustible as well as the debris produced during construction, renovation, and demolition. In addition, equipment and hot work such as cutting, soldering, welding, grinding and roofing increase the possibility for a fire.
• Be sure to have fire extinguishers present.
• When painting or staining, open windows and doors in order to help ventilation, which will help prevent fume build up. Never leave open paint and stain cans unattended.
• Do not let combustible debris accumulate in the building. Remove at the end of each day. Clean up the construction area each night, removing all debris.
• Store all flammable and combustible liquid outside the building.
• Use motorized equipment so that the exhaust is piped outside. Do not refuel it while in operation and should be stored outside of the building.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer