NEWS RELEASE June 21, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100038) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 OCCUPANT ESCAPES HOUSE FIRE AT 1306 BAZIL STREET Racquel Kemp, 23, of 1306 Bazil Street told Mobile Fire Investigators that she heard a pop and discovered a fire in her living room. Mobile Firefighters responded to the one story, wood frame structure after a call to 911 was made by Kemp at approximately 11:42 a.m.. Firefighters arrived and reported heavy fire showing at approximately 11:47 a.m. Kemp told Investigators she was in the bathtub when she heard a pop and got out to go investigate. Upon entering her living room she discovered fire had burned a hole in her sofa and she extinguished it with some baking soda. Kemp returned to the bathroom and moments later heard another pop and neighbors calling from outside for her to get out of the house. Kemp went back to the living room and discovered the fire she thought she had extinguished was not out and it was spreading. Kemp then searched for her keys to her burglar barred door, called 911 and made her escape. The fire appears to have originated in the living room on or near the sofa. There was smoke and heat damage throughout. There was a wall receptacle behind the sofa and a window air conditioner behind it also. The cause of the fire that caused an estimated $10 thousand in damage remains under investigation and electrical is suspected as the cause. Only one injury was reported when Firefighter Richard McMillian apparently stepped on a piece of glass and cut his foot. He was treated on the scene by firemedics from rescue 14 and released. Engines 3, 12, 14, truck 4, rescue 14 and District 1 Chief Harold Miller responded. ###