October 27, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100074) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us APARTMENT FIRE DAMAGES BEDROOM Mobile Firefighters were called to inspect smoke coming from a window air conditioning unit located at 218 1st Court in the Orange Grove Housing Community Friday, October 27, 2000. The call was received at approximately 9:23 a.m. but when firefighters arrived at approximately 9:30 a.m. they discovered heavy smoke coming from the two-story brick structure. Firefighters made entry and discovered a fire in the upstairs back bedroom and quickly extinguished the blaze keeping fire damaged contained to the room of fire origin. Irish Tinsley, 22, told Mobile Fire Investigators that she was downstairs and her mother, Claretha Nicholson, who had been asleep in the room where the fire occurred, came downstairs. Tinsley then went upstairs to answer the phone and discovered smoke coming from the bedroom. She ran back downstairs to tell her mother. Nicholson then ran back upstairs to get Tinsley's infant child and bring the baby out to safety. According to both Tinsley and Nicholson neighbors came over and began to assist in removing living room furniture. Meanwhile Tinsely ran to a neighboring apartment and dialed 911 for help. The fire appears to have originated in the closet of the upstairs back bedroom and was confined there. The air conditioning unit was on the opposite side of the room and was not involved in the cause of the fire. There was heavy smoke damage throughout the apartment. Nicholson told Fire Investigators she did smoke but had not had a cigarette yet. Tinsley told Investigators there were candles in the room but she and Nicholson advised none were lit. The cause of the fire which caused an estimated $10 thousand in damage, remains under investigation. No injuries were reported. Engines 3, 2, 8, truck 4, rescue 3 and District 1 Chief Ed Salva responded to the fire. The Mobile Fire-Rescue Departments Bureau of Fire Prevention is investigating the fire. ###