February 22, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2011-25) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org CANDLE TO BLAME FOR ST. MADAR STREET HOUSE FIRE Mobile firefighters responded to the report of a house fire located at 1270 St. Madar Street around 12:39 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, February 22, 2011. Firefighters arrived on the scene to report heavy smoke visible from the single story, wood frame structure. All occupants had evacuated without apparent injury. When firefighters made entry into the structure they discovered fire in the hallway coming from a bedroom. The occupant of the house, Dora Williams, 55, told fire investigators that she had no electric power and that she had lit a candle for light near her bed. She further stated that she awoke to find her bed on fire and exited the structure. The fire originated in the bedroom and spread into the hallway. There were varying degrees of smoke and heat damage throughout the structure. The fire was caused by a candle sitting too near the bed and coming in contact with the mattress. The fire caused an estimated $20 thousand in damage to the structure and contents. No injuries were reported. Engines 3, 8, 14; truck 4; rescue 14 and District Chief LeAnn Tacon responded to the fire. The Bureau of Fire Prevention conducted the investigation. ###