By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The Chester Fire Department was called out to a house fire Tuesday at 11:50 a.m. The call was due to a reported residential fire at 753 Swanwick Street.
The caller who reported the fire stated that there was a smoking electrical box in the basement of the house and that the home, owned by Pastor Phil Keeton, was filled with smoke, but that there was no visible fire noticed.
This is the scene of a residential fire that occurred at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday August 8 at 753 Swanwick Street. It was the home of Pastor Phil Keeton of Chester. Chester Police, Fire Department and Med Star Ambulance Service responded immediately and quickly got the situation under control. There were no injuries or apparent structural damage to the house. Jim Beers Photo
When Chester Firemen, Chester Police and Med Star Ambulance arrived at the scene, the house was in fact filled with smoke, but no visible fire could be found. Once firemen were able to make their way to the basement, they were able to figure out what had apparently happened.
Marty Bert, Chester Fire Chief, said, “Apparently there had been a live fire on the basement wall where the electrical box was positioned. Likely, the electrical box shorted out, creating a very hot area. That area eventually did cause some items located nearby to catch fire.”
Chester Police Officers and Med Star Ambulance personnel observe firemen inspecting the residence of Pastor Phil Keeton at 753 Swanwick Stret in Chester. Keeton’s house caught fire as a result of a short in an electrical box in the basement. The heat melted a plastic water pipe in the basement which extinguished the fire, but not before there was significant smoke damage. Jim Beers Photo
“The fire apparently got so hot that it melted a plastic water pipe located above the heated area and the leaking water acted like a fire sprinkler and extinguished the live fire. By then the house was filled with smoke and created an unsafe environment for the family.”
Bert noted that prior to determining that the house was not actively burning, the Chester Fire Department called the Ellis Grove Fire Department to also respond and serve as backup for the Chester FD.
The Elis Grove Fire Truck and Emergency Vehicle arrived at the scene of a fire at 753 Swanwick Street in Chester. They were asked by Fire Chief Marty Bert to back up the Chester FD when it was thought that the house was possibly going to be fully engulfed. It turned out that a plastic water pipe burst in the heat and extinguished the live fire even before the Chester units arrived on scene. Jim Beers Photo
Ellis Grove arrived on the scene approximately 15-20 minutes after Chester arrived and determined that the fire was no longer active. Chief Bert stated that there was extensive smoke damage to the house and that until that damage was cleared, the house was probably not livable.
The structure of the house was apparently satisfactory and Pastor Keeton and family were able to enter the house to appraise the damage. Doors and windows were left open to allow the fresh air to help clear house of remaining smoke and contaminants. Professional fire-cleaning services will likely be needed prior to the family being able to move back inside the house.
Pastor Phil Keeton said, “My wife and I got out of the house before anyone was injured. The house was filled with smoke from our electrical box in the basement. We got out safely, but will not be able to return until the smoky mess is cleaned up. Please pray for us as this is a very scary, disturbing situation.”