January 16, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2007-02) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org PORTABLE SPACE HEATER CAUSES HOUSE FIRE Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire located at 2917 Warsaw Avenue on Tuesday morning, January 16, 2007. The fire was reported at approximately 6:57 a.m. and when firefighters arrived shortly after they reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the wood frame structure. A 72-year-old bedridden, female, the mother of the owner Eddie Wesley, was pulled from the residence by her granddaughter, Shakila Wesley, prior to firefighter’s arrival. The elderly woman received minor burns and was treated on the scene and released to the care of her family. The fire appears to have originated in the bedroom of the elderly female. The cause of the fire appears to have been an electric space heater that was located to close to the combustible contents of the room. Fire damage is estimated at approximately $35 thousand and was confined to structure of origin. No other injuries were reported. Engines 14, 15, 18, truck 10, rescue 14 and District 3 Chief Alex Trenier responded to the call. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States and the second leading cause of home fire deaths in this country. Heater fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in the southeastern U.S. Home heating equipment causes an estimated 45,500 reported fires, 220 civilian deaths and 990 civilian injuries. Misuse or improper maintenance causes most of these fires. December, January and February are the leading months for home fires as well as home fire deaths in this country. On average, more than a third of home fire deaths occur during the winter months. The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of portable electric space heaters is rapidly increasing and fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. In some places the use of wood burning stoves is growing. • Space heaters need space! They should be given a three (3) foot clearance all the way around the heater. Everything that could burn should be kept clear of this area. • Plug electric portable space heaters directly into wall sockets, not into an extension cord and unplugged them when not in use. • Be sure not to overload electrical circuits. • Turn portable heaters off and unplug them before leaving home or when going to bed. • Never leave children or pets unattended with space heaters. • Be sure everyone understands that drying clothes or placing combustibles over heaters is a fire hazard. • Check electric space heater each season for fraying or splitting wires and overheating. • Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms, other areas where they may come in contact with water. ###