February 11, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2011-22) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org STRUCTURE FIRE, GLEN ACRES DRIVE Firefighters responded to a report of a garage on fire, located at 9100 Glen Acres Drive, North, Friday morning, February 11. The original call came into 9-1-1 by a passerby at approximately 5:56 a.m. Firefighters reported heavy fire coming from the garage upon arrival; a quick check confirmed that no one was inside the single story, wood frame home. Both occupants had escaped without apparent injury. The fire appears to have originated in an upholstered lift chair, which was not plugged in, in the garage. The homeowner had a routine of sitting in the chair sat in to smoke. The homeowner told fire investigators that she had a large ceramic ashtray that she kept on the arm of the chair. She further stated to investigators the last time she had been in the garage was around 1 a.m. Apparently ashes or remnants of smoking materials that were not completely extinguished fell into the chair and smoldered for a few hours before bursting into flames. The fire spread to the attic but firefighters prevented further spread. Damage is estimated at approximately $40 thousand. No injuries were reported. Engines 1, 18, 29; truck 10; rescue 29; water tanker 36 and District Chief David Rose responded to the call. The Bureau of Fire Prevention is investigating. ###