June 27, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2007-42) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org ACCIDENTAL HOUSE FIRE AT 10 HOUSTON STREET Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire located at 10 Houston Street early Wednesday morning, June 27 at approximately 12:50 a.m. Firefighters arrived at approximately 12:54 a.m. reporting heavy fire coming from a window on the south side of a single-story, wood frame residential structure. Firefighters entered the structure through an open front door and found fire mainly confined in a bedroom located on the south side of the residence. Firefighters also conducted a primary and secondary search but found no one inside. Fire Investigators were told that the occupants, Sadie Rankin, 84 and her daughter Judith Washam, 52 were inside a neighbor’s house. Neither of the female occupants appeared to have any injuries, although Washam was transported to a local hospital for observation. The fire appears to have started near the foot of the bed in a south bedroom, with the remainder of the house receiving varying degrees of smoke and thermal damage. Fire Investigators found what appeared to have been the remains of a portable box fan on the floor near that area. The cause of the fire which remains under investigation appears to have been accidental possibly from an electric short or arch. Damage is estimated at approximately $60 thousand. Engines 8, 9, 12, truck 17, rescue 23 and District 1 Chief John Young responded to the fire. ###