Lieutenant Daniel Harris from Memphis Rescue 3 sent in these photos. From the front it appears that it is a house under construction and the work has been stopped for some time. We have always advocated checking buildings under construction or renovation; it is one of the best methods to learn building construction. This one should be of special concern because of its current state.
Well don’t forget to knock…Check out the building from side. Hopefully the existing structure is not currently occupied, but that would not be uncommon. Many people build a new house around an existing one. They even remain occupying the original structure during renovation. Besides the possibly unexpected occupants, think about this structure after the renovation. This “structure inside another structure†situation creates some pretty hardened voids that will make us work a little harder when looking for hidden fire and taking this building apart during overhaul.
Over there years I have seen a few smaller versions of this example in my neighbourhood.
However they were unoccupied and they did eventually fall victim to arson. Perhaps having residents in the original structure would help prevent arson….or maybe that would just add to the list of possible victims?
We have a commercial structure in our first due that has been remodled and added to over the years that pose the same problems. It started out as a cotton gin back in the early 1940-50’s and is now a series of shops and a resturant. Pre planning is a must and in some cases the ONLy way you’d discover such a hazard.
Dwellings (and some commercial buildings) are often added onto with different building construction types.
When (and by the looks of this one, IF) this house is completed, you may not be able to see the difference from the old to the new sections from the outside.
Be careful before you declare a house wood frame or block. It can be very misleading from one side to another.
And it is scary, I just found a house like this in my area today, and was going to go grab the camera for everyone here, but Memphis beat me to it.
Thank you to those who submit items for all of us to learn from.
This picture reminds me of another problem where private residences or even tenements are built in front of a pre-exisiting home or multiple dwelling (I believe they refer to them as rear tenements in New York City.) The problem occurs in that these buildings are often not visible from the street. Since they have an address that is different from the building in front it is easy to get tricked into believing that no such address exists. A driveway leading into a rear yard may provide a clue.
Dan, you promised not to take a picture of my house when you came over!!!!!!!!!!!
We call em’ “trailerminiums”(2 story trailers) around our area. It is common to see “house trailers” built on in a simular fashion. Sometimes new construction will literally be built around and encompass a trailer. You know your a redneck if…
also called…..Muskoka Siding where I’m from
Good Pics Danno. Nice to see your still working it.