November 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-76) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE DAMAGES PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD HOUSE Two adults and two children escaped unharmed from a house fire, located at 2856 Pleasant Valley Road on Thursday evening, November 6. The fire in the single story, wood frame structure was reported at approximately 8:40 p.m. and first firefighters arrived on the scene within four minutes reporting fire showing from the rear of the residence. One of the occupants, Eleanor Handy, 51, told Mobile Fire Investigators that she and her mother, Willie May Richardson, 73, were sitting in the front part of the house when she asked one of her granddaughters age 12 to go to the kitchen to get her something to drink. She advised that several minutes passed and the granddaughter had not returned with the drink. At this time she began to notice smoke coming from the rear of the house and she and Richardson began making their way out of the house. The fire appears to have originated in a rear bedroom and started on or near a day bed in that area. Firefighters were able to keep the main body of fire contained in that area. There was varying degrees of smoke and heat damage in other areas of the structure. Fire Investigators were told that both the 8 and 12 year old granddaughters were in that part of the house when the fire started. Investigators determined that the fire was accidental and caused from fire play by the children. Damage is estimated at approximately $22,500. No injuries were reported. Engines 8, 9, 23, truck 17, rescue 23 and District Chief Elbert Cross responded to the call. ###