By Jonathan Edwards
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk’s fire chief said the blaze that ravaged Ocean View Saturday night was one of the worst he’s ever seen.
Fourteen buildings damaged. Eight of them destroyed. Thirty to 40 residents forced out of their homes.
And Norfolk Fire-Rescue Chief Jeffery Wise said he thinks those numbers are low.
“I’ve only seen a handful of fires like the one Saturday night,” he said, adding that he’s been a firefighter for 37 years.
And that was only one of three big fires that broke out in Norfolk Saturday night. Firefighters responded to a fourth Monday morning, a two-alarm blaze at a house in the 1100 block of Cambridge Crescent.
“We’ve been busy,” he said.
Investigators haven’t figured out what started any of the fires, but it’s safe to say at least some of them are weather-related, Wise said, adding that he estimates it will take one to two weeks to home in on a cause for the Ocean View fire.
Wise urged Norfolk residents to make sure they have smoke alarms working in their homes, and pushed them to follow manufacturers’ directions if they’re using space heaters or fireplaces.
“Smoke alarms will save more lives than firefighters ever will,” he said.
People can donate items like clothing, toiletries, gift cards and cash to the Coldwell Banker office at West Ocean View Avenue and Granby Street, office administrator Kristin Rivera said. Anyone with questions can call the office at 757-480-0000.
About 15 people have donated items, and Rivera said she’s been in touch with two families so far.
“We’re just trying to help out with immediate needs,” she said.
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(c)2016 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)
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