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Deputies’ response cools cooking fire
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Friday, June 6, 2008 |
DUNEDIN – Thanks to two Pinellas County deputies being in the right place at the right time and their quick response, a cooking fire in a Dunedin apartment did less damage than it might have otherwise.
According to a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Cpl. Jim Cooper and Deputy Richard Trump were on routine patrol in Harbor Town Apartments, 1686 Hampton Lane, just after 12:30 a.m. on June 6 when Cooper noticed smoke coming from a building near Hampton Lane and Nantucket Court.
Cooper called Dunedin Fire and Rescue while Trump headed to the apartment building where Eric and Carol Puniska were seen running from the building saying their apartment was on fire.
The deputies entered the smoke-filled apartment with their fire extinguishers and found the kitchen engulfed in flames and spreading. They retreated outside briefly due to the heat and smoke, then took a deep breath and re-entered the building. Their effort knocked the fire back sufficiently where it did not spread to neighboring apartments.
Fire Rescue arrived and took over. Cooper and Trump assisted by evacuating other residents and securing them until firefighters cleared the scene and approved re-entry.
The Puniska's later told deputies that they had been cooking French fries and left the stove unattended. They found the kitchen on fire upon their return.
According to a press release from the Dunedin Fire Department, Eric Puniska, 26, was transported to Mease Dunedin Hospital after being treated on scene for fire-related injuries.
Carol Puniska was not injured, nor was any other occupants of the eight-unit building.
Damage was contained to the single apartment unit and was estimated at $2,500. Occupants did not require Red Cross assistance.
Dunedin fire officials said the apartment did not have an operable smoke detector and “its absence could have tragically affected the outcome in this multi-unit building.”
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Article published on Friday, June 6, 2008
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