May 28, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-46) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FAMILY ESCAPES HOUSE FIRE UNHARMED Firefighters responded to a house fire located at 1157 Elmira Street early Wednesday morning, May 28. The fire was reported at approximately 2:24 a.m. and firefighters arrived at approximately 2:29 a.m. reporting heavy fire coming from an east side window of the one story, wood frame structure. Firefighters entered through the front door to find heavy fire coming from the rooms on the east side of the structure. The occupant, Quincy Kemp, 27, told Mobile Fire Investigators that he was sleeping in the front room when he suddenly woke up. He went to check on his two daughters and saw a glow coming from their bedroom. Kemp told investigators that he went into the bedroom and saw fire coming up from behind the bed where the two girls were sleeping. He grabbed them up and ran to his neighbor’s house and told them to call 9-1-1. Kemp also told Fire Investigators that there was a window unit air conditioner (A/C) operating in the general area of the fire when he went to sleep. While conducting their investigation into the cause of the fire, Investigators discovered two small electrical extension cords where the A/C unit had been located. The cords extended toward the remains of an electrical power strip which was plugged into a wall receptacle. Investigators determined the fire to be accidental and caused when the combination of the two small extension cords and the electrical power strip being used to power the portable window mounted A/C unit which were not able to handle the electrical power needs of the A/C unit, overheated and ignited the nearby combustible material (bedding and carpet). Damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $80 thousand. No injuries were reported. Engines 2, 3, 8, truck 17, rescue 3 and District Chief John Young responded. ###