RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit has identified the two victims of this morning’s fatal house fire in the city’s East End as:

1. Clara Humphrey, 84 years old
2. Ray Humphrey, 84 years old

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records confirm the married couple was deaf.

“I ask that you pray for the families, their loved ones, their community where they resided, and our city in that we will continue to embrace fire safety education, the importance of smoke alarms, and exercising proper safety protocols,” said Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services Chief Melvin Carter. “These deaths, like most fire deaths, were preventable.”

At approximately 7:59 a.m., crews responded to 1413 Vinton Street for the report of a house fire with individuals still possibly inside. Once on scene, they found smoke coming from the structure.

The first arriving crews performed a search and located Clara Humphrey. They removed her from the home and went back inside, as there were reports of two occupants. Crews then located Ray Humphrey and removed him from the home. CPR was performed on both victims, but neither survived. They were pronounced dead by Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) crews on scene.

RFD crews focused on fire attack had made entry and found fire in the living room. They quickly worked to put it out. The fire was marked under control at 8:13 a.m.

Investigators have determined the fire originated on a sofa in the living room and was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. They also discovered there were no working smoke alarms in the home.

This incident marks the 11th fire fatality in the City of Richmond so far this year.

The Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services wants to remind residents of the “Fire Safety Five to Stay Alive”:

1. Get out and stay out of a house on fire. Make and practice a fire escape plan.
2. Clear the clutter, as it can become an obstacle to escape. Have a clear path to your exits.
3. Do not overload extension cords and power strips. Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
4. Have working smoke alarms and test them once a month. Replace your alarms after 10 years.
5. Always smoke outside. Never smoke in bed. Make sure cigarettes and ashes are put out completely.

The Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services will also install smoke alarms for free. Residents can call our Fire Prevention Office at (804) 646-6640 or our Smoke Alarm Request Line at (804) 646-1526 to schedule an appointment. The Fire Prevention Office also has a limited supply of smoke alarms specifically for residents with hearing impairments.

RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit is working to determine the cause of a fatal house fire that occurred in the city’s Southside this morning.

At approximately 7:02 a.m., crews responded to 4221 Banton Street for the report of a house fire. Once on scene, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the second story of the structure. Occupants were reportedly still inside, so crews went into rescue mode. At the same time, they worked quickly to extinguish the fire. The fire was marked under control at 7:20 a.m. Due to the location, a crew with Chesterfield Fire & EMS also responded for mutual aid.

When the incident occurred, there were six civilians inside the home – three adult males, one adult female, and two young children. Firefighters pulled the two children from the second story of the home and performed CPR, in an attempt to revive them. The children’s mother had reportedly jumped from a second-story window. She was found conscious and breathing on the ground outside the home. The three adult males – the children’s grandfather, the children’s uncle, and a family friend – were also conscious and breathing, when crews arrived.

All six civilians were transported to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the mother and her two children did not survive. They are identified as:

1. Jasmine Allen, 22 years old
2. Kadene Allen, 4 years old
3. Jadae Copeland, 9 months old

The children’s uncle and the family friend are hospitalized in stable condition. The grandfather was not injured.

While working to rescue the occupants, one RFD firefighter was injured. He was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for burns to his hands.

Fire investigators have determined the fire started in a room on the second floor and that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

RICHMOND, VA — Two firefighters with the Richmond Fire Department are sharing their experiences with the local Frontline Writers program and encouraging other first responders to join the next class.

In this new video, Richmond Firefighter Betty Migliaccio and Richmond Fire Lieutenant Shawn Jones speak about how the free creative writing workshop helped them. They both plan to participate again.
 

Frontline Writers is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing a free writing workshop to those who work on the frontlines. The organization is currently recruiting for their next class, which starts exactly a month from today. It is open to all current and former police, fire, and EMS personnel. Participants are encouraged to write original works on subjects of their choosing – which can be done in the form of an essay, memoir, fiction, poetry, even a play! They also give feedback and edit the works of their classmates.
 

David L. Robbins – bestselling author, university creative writing teacher, and the founder of the program – will lead the upcoming 12-week class. The session will begin September 13, 2021 and end December 2, 2021. Participants will meet virtually via Zoom one day a week (alternating Mondays and Thursdays) from approximately 6-8 p.m. It is designed to accommodate first responders' shifting schedules.

Frontline Writers seeks a diverse community of participants and voices. Anyone interested in signing up or learning more information can visit frontlinewriters.org. The organization is also hosting a Reading Slam on Friday, August 27 at Legend Brewing Company from 7-9:30 p.m. Alumni will be there to read and share their works.

RICHMOND, VA — Members of the City of Richmond Department of Fire & Emergency Services were able to help a man, who got his hand stuck during an industrial accident this morning.

At approximately 7:47 a.m., crews responded to 1003 Commerce Road for the report of an industrial accident. Once on scene, they found an adult male patient with his hand stuck in a press machine. He was conscious and breathing.

There was a possibility of amputation needed to remove the patient, but fortunately, that was not necessary. Our Technical Rescue Team, with the assistance of the Henrico County Division of Fire’s Technical Rescue Team, was able to cut rollers on the machine and free the patient’s arm – all while keeping him stable.

A trauma team from VCU Medical Center also responded, but the patient’s arm was freed upon their arrival. The incident was marked under control at 9:35 a.m.

RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Department is supporting Engine Company #9 and Associates, Inc. to celebrate the 71^st anniversary of RFD (then named the Richmond Fire Bureau) hiring the first black career firefighters in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Chief Melvin D. Carter will speak during the program, which will include a brief presentation titled “Lighting the Way”.

WHAT: Annual celebration of Richmond’s first black career firefighters hired

WHEN: Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: 5^th & Duval streets

For some background information, please see these Black History Month social media posts from back in February:

• https://www.facebook.com/rvafire/posts/3700133746742148
• https://www.facebook.com/rvafire/posts/3718352594920263