January 6, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-01) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org BEDROOM FIRE AT 6262 SARASOTA DRIVE Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire located at 6262 Sarasota Drive on Friday morning, January 6, 2006. The call was received at approximately 7:56 a.m. and first units arrived on the scene reporting heavy fire and smoke coming from the one-story wood frame constructed structure. All occupants had escaped prior to the arrival of firefighters and reported no injuries. The fire appears to have originated on or under the mattress of a bedroom in the structure and spread throughout causing varying degrees of fire, heat and smoke damage to the structure. The occupant, Daniel Thomas, 29, told Mobile Fire Investigators that he was watching TV in the living room when his 3-year-old son entered into the room acting antsy and then the smoke alarm began to sound. Thomas got up to investigate a possible cause and discovered fire on the mattress in the bedroom. He lifted the mattress in an attempt to find the seat of the fire and to extinguish it at which time it flashed on him. He then quickly exited the room, got his son and evacuated the house. Fire Investigators are ruling the fire accidental but are waiting for additional information before giving an exact cause at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and caused an estimated $25 thousand in damage. Engines 6, 19, 22, truck 5, rescue 18 and District Chief John D. Young responded to the call. ###