February 6, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2002-06) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org WOOD BURNING STOVE AND COMBUSTIBLES CAUSE FIRE Mobile Firefighters were called to a house fire located at 659 Cody Road North on Wednesday morning, February 6, 2002 at approximately 10:26 a.m. Units arrived on the scene at approximately 10:30 a.m. and reported heavy smoke coming from the one-story, wood frame residence. The owner, Ruth Richardson, was asleep when she was alerted to the fire and escaped without apparent injury. Richardson told Mobile Fire Investigators that she had inherited the house from a relative and had Mobile Gas Company out to repair some gas leaks. She was waiting for their return to complete the repairs and turn the gas back on. Richardson advised she got cold and decided to start a fire in the wood burning stove, which was located in a back room apparently used for storage, to keep warm. According to Fire Investigators there were numerous combustible materials that were found stored near the stove and apparently the heat from the stove caught them on fire. The fire was contained by firefighters in the storeroom with some minor extension just inside the kitchen, bedroom and attic above. Damage is estimated at $7,500.00. No injuries were reported. Engines 1, 18, 22, truck 5, rescue 1 and District 3 Chief John D. Young responded. ###