Space Heater Blamed For Lakeland Home Fire

LAKELAND, FL — A space heater that tipped over is being blamed for a Lakeland fire that swept through a home early Thursday morning. The fire erupted in the 700 block of Savannah Avenue shortly after midnight, according to the Lakeland Fire Department.

First responders estimated that 75 percent of the concrete home was involved with the flames when they arrived.

"The fire was quickly extinguished upon the arrival of firefighters, however
the damage was extensive enough to have displaced the residents," said a spokesperson for the Lakeland Fire Department.

The American Red Cross was providing assistance to two adults, a child and a dog.

Lakeland Fire Department investigators determined the space heater tipped over while the residents slept. It fell near combustibles like clothing and other fabrics.

"The home had no working smoke alarms, however the residents were able to wake up and evacuate," according to the agency.

First responders urged residents to observe the following precautions when using space heaters:

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test them once a month.

• Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs and loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.

• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you leave a room or go to sleep.
• Don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
• Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Locate space heaters away from high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which can overheat and start a fire.
• Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
• Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

Image courtesy Lakeland Fire Department