In most cases, intentionally setting a home on fire would be considered arson. However, firefighters in Cleveland recently set a house on fire as part of their training. Cleveland Fire Academy students participated in a live burn Urban Search and Rescue training exercise, which simulated a real house fire. The house, located on Cleveland’s near west side, is a Cuyahoga Land Bank-owned property that is scheduled for demolition.

The Cleveland Fire Academy does training at Cuyahoga Land Bank properties several times a year. The training enabled firefighters to practice skills and tactics to get people safely out of a damaged building and to search for any victims within the structure. The opportunity for first responders to simulate a life-like situation is an invaluable learning opportunity.