Immigrants focus of Lynn fire prevention

LYNN – Seven people escaped a Hamilton Avenue house fire last Friday because the smoke detectors blared a warning.While the incident highlighted the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, it did not call attention to another problem faced by the Fire Department.”We have lots of immigrants, people who are new to the city, who come from places in the world where they don’t know about fire safety,” said Fire Lt. Israel Gonzalez. “We have had situations where the smoke detectors are going off and the people think those alarms are somehow connected to the Fire Department. They’re outside waiting for the trucks and ambulances to arrive, but nobody has called 911. We have to teach them that they should immediately leave the building and then get on the phone.”As part of Massachusetts Fire Prevention Week, the Lynn department will hold its annual open house Oct. 6, when children and their parents or guardians can learn about how to keep safe.Unlike previous years, the event will be hosted at Fire Department headquarters, 725 Western Ave., instead of the Broadway firehouse.Children and adult residents living near the Broadway firehouse are relatively affluent and well-informed, according to Gonzalez, which isn’t always the case for those residing close to “The Big House,” as the headquarters building is known among local firefighters.During the open house, from 2:30-4:30 p.m., children will be taught how to stop, drop and roll, the strategy used to extinguish burning clothing. Visitors can also get a close-up look at ladder trucks and fire engines, which will be parked outside the firehouse doors.Papa Gino’s will donate 50 pizzas and Walmart will provide drinks, Gonzalez said. Firefighters will also distribute information packets on fire prevention, in English and Spanish, as well as plastic fire helmets, pencils and stickers.”We will be talking to people about having two ways out of your home and how to arrange for a home fire drill,” Gonzalez said.Sparky the Fire Dog is scheduled to make an appearance as well.