December 29, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-83) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org HOUSE FIRE BLAMED ON “BORROWED” ELECTRICITY Mobile firefighters responded to the report of a possible house fire in the area of Marine and Kentucky Streets at approximately 1:14 a.m. Firefighters arrived in the area at approximately 1:18 a.m. and discovered heavy smoke and fire coming from a one-story, wood frame house located at 960 Kentucky Street. Firefighters forced entry and encountered heavy fire in a front bedroom. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down and continued a search of the structure for possible occupants, none were found. Mobile Fire-Rescue Investigators noted that the structure had no utilities hooked to it but did discover an extension cord that was being supplied by a neighbors house. Investigators questioned the neighbor who told them they were supplying the structure with electricity. The fire originated in a front room and the fire was kept primarily to two front rooms with some extension in the attic. The cause of the fire appears to be electrical and caused by a lamp found in the front room of the fires origin. The occupant was not home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. Damage to contents and the structure are estimated at $55 thousand. Engines 2, 3, 11, truck 4, rescue 3 and District Chief Frank Byrd responded to the call. The fire was investigated by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department’s Fire Marshal Office. ###