An Examination and Analysis of the Dynamics of the Human Behavior in the Fire Incident at the St. Annes Infant Home on June 20, 1978

摘要

The fire incident at the St. Annes Infant Home on June 20, 1978, was detected by the administrator at approximately 2015 hours. The fire at detection involved the overheating of electrical switch gear, which produced a white-colored smoke, completely filling the boiler room in the basement. The four-story and basement building of fire resistive construction was erected approximately 15 years ago. At the time of the fire incident, the facility had an occupancy of 79 children and 15 mothers. The fire was confined to the overheated electrical switch gear, with no visible flames, and smoke limited to the boiler room, the area of fire origin. The fire department was notified and responded. No residents were moved within the facility or evacuated from the facility. The staff action of turning off the electrical power stopped the overheating, and of closing the boiler room door confined the smoke.