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New homes are burning faster. Here's what firefighters want you to know

Modern homes burn eight times faster than 50 years ago and can produce 200 times more smoke, according to the Fire Safety Research Institute.

Kaitlyn Ross, Gabriella Nunez, Meleah Lyden, Jon Samuels

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Published: 6:00 AM EST February 5, 2024
Updated: 4:58 PM EST February 6, 2024

Every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the country.

That’s according to the National Fire Protection Association. With fires feeling like they're becoming more common, Georgia firefighters are training to figure out why.

Over the years, the materials homes are made of don't stand a chance against intense flames.

In north Georgia, fires have torn through roofs of apartment buildings in moments, flames have ripped through smaller homes, displacing families, and firefighters said what’s inside the home likely won’t survive either.

As furniture material gets cheaper, new construction is built quicker, Georgia firefighters said they’re quick to ignite, and fires are burning through homes faster. People now have less than five minutes to safely get out.

11Alive shares insight on how firefighters are training to save lives in the midst of these fast-moving flames and shares resources on what families can do to prevent a fire – or what to do if they're impacted by one.

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