December 11, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2009-73) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org SPACE HEATER CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE A space heater placed too close to a bed caused a fire in a single story, wood frame structure Friday morning, December 11. A 9-1-1 call was received at approximately 5:34 a.m. reporting smoke and flames visible at 2907 Fredrick Street. Firefighters from Mobile Fire-Rescue arrived on the scene at approximately 5:39 a.m. reporting flames visible from the roof of the structure. The occupant told Fire Investigators that she had a space heater sitting at the corner of her bed and woke up to a small fire on the edge of the bed. She extinguished the fire and went to the bathroom. Upon her return she advised that the flames were much larger at which time she went and got her seven children and her mother and escaped to a neighbor’s house where she called 9-1-1. The fire spread up the wall and had broken through the roof upon firefighter’s arrival. No injuries were reported and the fire caused an estimated $10 thousand in damage. The occupant was being assisted by the Gulf Coast chapter of the American Red Cross. Engines 12, 15, 23, truck 10, rescue 23 and District Chief Dexter Pettaway responded. The fire is being investigated by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Some safety reminders from Mobile Fire-Rescue Department regarding space heaters: • Turn off space heaters whenever the room they are in is unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer’s instructions say they should be turned off. Portable space heaters are so easy to knock over in the dark that they should be turned off when going to bed. • Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including bedding, furniture, and clothing. Never drape clothing over a space heater to dry. • Keep children and pets away from space heaters. Never leave children in a room alone when a space heater is in use. • Install and maintain smoke alarms. Alarms should be tested at least once a month and batteries changed at least once a year. • Plan and practice home escape plans. ###