Problems with hydrants discounted after fire destroys Henderson home

A Henderson home that burned down Tuesday was in an area with deficient fire hydrants, but city officials said the lack of sufficient water pressure did not impact efforts to protect neighboring structures.

The midday blaze completely destroyed the home at 208 Parawan St., on the city’s eastern edge near Race Track and Warm Spring roads.

According to the Henderson Fire Department, residents there were working on motorbikes in the basement when a fuel leak sparked the fire.

When the first firefighters arrived on scene, heavy fire and smoke was coming from the basement and first floor. It took about an hour for 54 fire personnel from Henderson and Clark County to control the blaze.

All the occupants escaped unharmed.

In 2007, the city declared the fire hydrants in the area around the home to be deficient after a test by the Utility Services Department showed insufficient water pressure in hydrants there.

Utility Services spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said the hydrants are in the process of being upgraded as part of work slated for completion on March 31.

A statement from the Henderson Fire Department said fire-fighting efforts “were hampered by the lack of hydrants in the area,” but Richards said there was enough water pressure to protect neighboring structures.

The house was destroyed and a neighboring house sustained minimal damage. The total damage is estimated at a minimum of $600,000.

County records show IndyMac Federal Bank took ownership of the home in October.

Richards said it usually takes the city about 18 months to fix water pressure problems with fire hydrants. The Utility Services Department does not send notices out to residents of an area where low hydrant pressure is found.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.