Firefighters break down door after hearing-impaired man fails to hear alarm

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Firefighters broke down the door of a mobile home Thursday to awaken a sleeping, hearing-impaired man who didn't notice the blare of the smoke alarm.

The man, described as an "older gentleman," was not injured in the incident.

"This could have been bad," said Steve McAdoo, spokesman for Clackamas County Fire District 1. "As it was, it turned out OK. But we are urging anyone with hearing disabilities to get a special smoke alarm."

McAdoo said firefighters were called to the Shadowbrook Mobile Home Park, 13640 S.E. Highway 212 at 12:56 p.m., after neighbors heard the smoke alarms and smelled smoke. When firefighters got no response at the mobile home, they broke down the door and found food burning on the stove.

Firefighters then escorted the man outside and blew the smoke out of his home with big fans.

Afterward, they replaced his doorknob and installed a smoke alarm for the hearing-impaired that sounds three different tones and activates a bright strobe light.

McAdoo said the Clackamas Fire has these special smoke alarms available free, thanks to a donation from Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation. He said anyone can call the Clackamas Fire Prevention Office at 503-742-2660 to find out if they qualify, or visit the district's website at www.clackamasfire.com for more information.