Chris the stuffed unicorn didn't survive the simulated dorm fire at Fulton High School.
Neither did the dorm furniture donated by Westminster College, or the paneling donated by Sutherlands. Within minutes, the entire fake dorm room was charred to a crisp.
"A fire doubles in size every minute, and it can take five to seven minutes for a fire truck to arrive," Fulton Fire Chief Todd Gray said. "Call 911 first before you try to fight a fire on your own."
He and fellow firefighters put on the demonstration Monday to inform FHS seniors about the dangers of dorm fires and the importance of maintaining good safety practices. Firefighters around the nation are summoned to about 4,000 dormitory fires per year, he said. Some are fatal.
"Cooking-related fires are the number-one reason we see," Gray said. "Just follow the directions. If the directions tell you to add a cup of water to your Easy Mac, make sure you add a cup of water. Also, don't leave your food unattended. We respond to a lot of pizzas in ovens they didn't take out of the box. (Students) just turn the oven up and fall asleep."
Having a working smoke detector, knowing the location of and how to use fire extinguishers and having an evacuation plan are also important, Gray said. Make sure to actually come to the meet-up site when there's a fire; otherwise, a firefighter may end up unecessarily risking his or her life to search for the "missing" person.
Two of FHS's own, Gray's son Evan Gray and activities director Ryan Waters, suited up to help fight the simulated fire. The fire reached temperatures well in excess of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit as they waited a scant few yards away, holding a hose at the ready.
"It was really hot - I was burning a little," Evan Gray said.
He said he's tried on the gear while visiting his father at the fire department, but this was the first time he's suited up to fight a fire.
"I have even more respect for my dad's job now," Gray added.
Waters said watching the dorm fire drove home how fires can be so deadly.
"You realize the danger, how fast things can get away from you," he said.