December 18, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-53) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org HOUSE FIRE 6605 VALDEZ DRIVE Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire located at 6605 Valdez Drive today, Monday, December 18, 2006. The call was received at approximately 1:09 p.m. and firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after reporting heavy fire coming from the one-story, wood frame structure. The fire originated and was contained in the living room. There was heat and smoke damage throughout the structure. The fire appears to have originated on or near the Christmas tree. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time but Mobile Fire Investigators are looking at the Christmas lights as the possible cause of the fire. No injuries were reported and damage is estimated at approximately $25 thousand. Engines 18, 15, 22, truck 5, rescue 1 and District 3 Chief Alex Trenier responded to the call. Christmas trees were the items first ignited in an estimated average of 310 reported U.S home structure fires per year in 1999-2002. These fires caused an average of 14 civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $16.2 million in direct property damage per year. These statistics include both real and artificial trees. On average, one in every 22 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death. More than four of every ten home Christmas tree fires are caused by an electrical problem or malfunction. One in four (24%) home Christmas tree fires resulted from a heat source placed too close to the tree. Seven percent were started by children playing with fire. When equipment was involved in the ignition of the fire, Lamps, Bulbs or Lighting (18%), and Cords or Plugs (13%) were cited more often than any other type of equipment. No equipment was involved in 44% of these fires. Candles were the heat source in 8% of the home Christmas tree fires reported per year. Sixty-one percent of the home Christmas tree fires were reported in December, 22% were reported in January. Not surprisingly, the number of these fires spikes during the week of December 22-28. Remember to make sure the tree has plenty of water, keeping it away from fireplaces, heating vents and other heat-producing appliances that may dry out the tree. If a tree becomes dried out and begins to loose lots of needles, don’t take a chance; stop using lights on the tree. Never plug more than three light sets into each outlet and always turn off lights before leaving home or going to bed. ###