GRAVETTE - Gravette Fire Department’s new Thermal Imaging Camera apparently located the cause of a smoke-like odor that resulted in two fire runs to the Gravette Sonic during the past week.
The department was dispatched to the Sonic Drive-in about 7:15 a.m. Thursday where the smokelike odor filled the building.
According to officer Charles Skaggs, it appeared to be caused by an overheated electrical circuit. After a search of the structure, including the upper portion of the building, the cause could not be determined.
During a second fire call Sunday morning, a “hot spot” was located at an electrical socket behind one of the cooking devices. No blaze was reported during either call. An electrical firm was at the business Monday to correct theproblem.
Fireman Spencer Gillming demonstrated the “camera” outside the building by placing his hand on an upright metal pole for several seconds. The camera identified the “hot spot.”
Gillming said the device, whichthe department has had about six months, can be particularly valuable in locating children who might be trapped in a burning structure and for identifying other “hot spots” when no blaze is visible.
News, Pages 1 on 11/24/2010