NORWICH – Receiving gratitude, especially from the public, is not what most code enforcement officers expect. For the most part, it’s a thankless job.
But that’s what transpired Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the scene of a late-night fire in Afton. When called to the site at 1:45 a.m. to analyze the structure for habitability, Chenango County Building Inspector Steve Fox said one of the four residents - all who survived the calamity - thanked him for giving her smoke detectors to install.
“She said I saved her life, and thanked me,” said Fox.
Afton, Harpursville, Coventry, Bainbridge and Sanitaria Springs fire departments and the Chenango County Bureau of Fire all responded to the 11:23 p.m. blaze at the two-story residence. The home suffered extensive water, smoke, and structural damages and was deemed unsafe to live in.
Fox said investigators categorized it as an electrical fire.
The family had been renting the home only since July 1.
A little over two weeks ago, Fox said he was driving by the residence as part of his regular work routine when he noticed that renovations were underway. Knowing the project had not been officially permitted, he stopped and gave the occupant, Jackie Brooks, a building permit application, requesting that she forward it to her landlord to complete and ask the owner to contact the county’s codes office.
Before departing, Fox gave Brooks smoke detectors, insisting that she install them. He said he watched her hang one in her bedroom and one in the dining room.
