April 14, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2009-22) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org DUBOSE STREET HOUSE FIRE Firefighters with Mobile Fire-Rescue Department responded to a report of a fire in a closet of a house located at 2513 Dubose Street Tuesday, April 14. The first called was received at approximately 11:17 a.m. and first units arriving within minutes reported heavy smoke coming from the single story, wood frame residential structure. Firefighters made quick work of extinguishing the main body of fire in the back bedroom and checking for any extension in the attic. Searches of the structure found it to be empty of any occupants. A father, mother and three children had escaped without apparent injury prior to the arrival of fire-rescue units. The fire appears to have originated in a closet in the children’s room located at the rear of the structure. There was some extension into the attic space above and smoke throughout. According to the female occupant she heard the smoke alarm sound and went to investigate as she entered the hallway she saw her three children, one 2 year old and two 4 year olds, standing in the hallway. Upon further investigation she discovered fire and smoke coming from the closet. She alerted her husband and they grabbed the children exiting the structure. Upon questioning by the father one of the 4 years old confessed to playing with a lighter in the closet thus causing the fire. The fire and smoke caused an estimated $8 thousand in damage. Engines 8, 14, 21, truck 17, rescue 14 and District Chief Alex Trenier responded. The Fire Marshal’s office is conducting the investigation. ###