Crime & Safety

Only a Test: Fire Drills at Abandoned Lutheran Church

Building is set to be demolished to make way for a CVS Pharmacy.

Nearly two dozen firefighters from three departments spent Monday afternoon cutting large holes in ceilings and knocking down walls in the abandoned school at .

But it was only a test.

Well, it was more like practice.

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The firefighters got together Monday to practice a few fire drills — focusing their efforts on three disciplines: ventilation, forced entries and self rescue.

said it was great experience for the firefighters.

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The building and adjacent church — at 14224 Detroit Avenue — are slated to be demolished in August to make way a . 

Two member departments of the — Fairview Park and Rocky River — participated in the drills. Firefighters also practiced using some tools that they don't get to use too often, Gilman said.

"We don't usually have fires in this kind of building," he added. "So this is good practice."

"This is all good stuff to know, but hope we never have to use."

The drills are expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon.


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