Dogs alert mother, son living in State Street apartment to escape Friday morning fire

QUINCY — Poorly discarded smoking materials were determined by Quincy Fire Department investigators to be the cause of a Friday morning fire at 3220 State.

The Quincy Fire Department reported in a press release that Engines 2, 3, and 6, as well as the incident commander, were dispatched to 3220 State at 2:39 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, for a reported fire in a bedroom of the residence. Officers from the Quincy Police Department arriving on the scene first reported the apartment was full of smoke, but everyone was out of the residence. 

Engine 3 firefighters made entry into the residence and found a burnt mattress smoldering in the southwest bedroom. They used a pressurized water extinguisher to extinguish the mattress. Engine 6 firefighters stood at the hydrant at Ridgewood and Woodbridge. Engine 2 firefighters assisted with ventilation and investigation. The smoldering bedding material was later put in the garage on the floor and extinguished. 

Crews from Adams County EMS attended to the occupants of the residence. A female suffered smoke inhalation, and her son also suffered smoke inhalation while having burns on his hands. Both said they would seek medical attention on their own.

The female, who was on the couch, said she was alerted by their dogs, who woke up the son by scratching at the door of his bedroom.  Investigators located a smoke detector that had its batteries removed. The fire was ruled accidental.

The Quincy Fire Department responded with three apparatus, 11 firefighters and the incident commander.  The Quincy Police Department responded with four officers.  Adams County EMS responded with two ambulances and four personnel. All units had cleared the scene at 4:01 a.m.