September 11, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100059) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO TWO UNRELATED UTILIY ROOM FIRES Mobile Firefighters responded to two late night/early morning fires, which appear to have originated in utility rooms. Firefighters first responded to a fire located at 2200 Hamilton Road at approximately 12:48 p.m. on Sunday night, September 10, 2000. They arrived at approximately 12:55 p.m. and discovered fire in the utility/laundry room of the one story, wood frame structure. The fire appears to have originated under the natural gas water heater and extended up the wall and slight damage into the attic space above. Fire Investigators found remains of cloth and paper under the water heater. No exact determination has been found for the fire but it is possibly caused by burner, air intake or vent pipe obstruction due to animals or dust. The owners Herbert Hinton, 48 and Katherine Hinton, 40 escaped without apparent injury. Damage is estimated at $1 thousand. Engines 8, 12, 15, truck 10, rescue 18 and District 3 Chief Howard Ollhoft, Sr. responded. Mobile Firefighters responded to a second unrelated utility room fire located in a one story, wood frame structure at 2318 Burgett Road on Monday morning, September 11, 2000. The call for help was received at approximately 1:45 a.m. and firefighters arrived at approximately 1:53 a.m. The fire appears to have originated on the floor in front of the washer/dryer in a pile of paper and other debris in the utility/laundry room. Investigators did not find a source of ignition and the fire remains under investigation. The fire spread throughout the utility room and through a wall into a closet in the bathroom. The owner, Laurie Michelle Clark, 39, discovered the fire and escaped without apparent injury. Estimated damage is $3 thousand. Engines 9, 16, 19, truck 24, rescue 24 and District 4 Chief Harold Miller responded. ###