A. Evacuation, Abandonment: For the purpose of protecting persons or property, the Fire Chief or other officer of the Fire Department in charge of extinguishment of any fire, shall have the authority to order the evacuation and/or abandonment of any building in immediate danger from an imminent spreading of such fire. The members of the Fire Department are to remove the contents of any threatened building whenever the authorized order for action cannot be otherwise carried out, and the officer in charge of extinguishment of any fire shall have complete police authority in the matter of removing persons from any threatened building.
B. Entry: For the purpose of investigating the extent of any fire, or the extent of damage or danger and/or the need for evacuation, abandonment, or other action to be taken for the protection of persons or property, the Chief or other officer in charge, and members of the Fire Department working under the orders of the officer, shall have authority to enter any building, private residence, or otherwise breaking into the building if necessary. No break in or other entry without consent of the owner, proprietor or occupant of the building shall be ordered or made, except in those cases in which the owner, proprietor or occupant is absent, or in which the owner, proprietor, or occupant is present, but refuses to grant consent; and when entry is immediately necessary for the protection of any person, or for the protection of any valuable property.
C. Demolition Order: The officer in charge shall have authority to order demolition of any building, fences or other objects obstructing access to fire hydrants and/or whose existence is liable to further the spread of any dangerous fire, and the Town shall not be liable for the loss to the owner of the building incurred by reason of such demolition.
(Ord. 152, 9-14-1987)