Fire Damages Seminole Heights Home, Neighbor's Van

TAMPA, FL - An early morning fire in the South Seminole Heights area caused major damage to a single-story wood frame home and spread to a neighbor's van parked in an adjacent driveway, according to the Tampa Fire Department. Firefighters responded at 2:46 a.m. to the fire at 314 W.Crest Ave.

A man and woman were asleep in the home when they were alerted to the fire by smoke detectors and escaped with minor injuries. Both residents were transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

When fire crews arrived they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the the east side of the residence. Firefighters began their attack on the fire which had already spread to the van in the driveway of the neighbor's home to the east. The fire also damaged the exterior of the neighboring home.

The fire was under control by 4 a.m. According to the incident report from the fire marshal's office, the fire originated on the front porch of the home and extended into the attic space. There was major fire damage which caused a partial collapse of the structure. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to an electrical malfunction. Multiple electrical cords plugged into an outlet provided power to several Christmas lights and decorations on the house and in the front yard.

Damage to the home and its contents is estimated at $170,000; a total loss. Damage to the neighbor's van is estimated at $6,000.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), 25 percent of holiday fires are caused by decorations. When installing outdoor electrical decorations ESFI recommends the following:

• Make sure all extension cords and electrical decorations used for outdoor decorating are marked for outdoor use.
• Match power needs (amperage) of electrical products with amperage rating of extension cords.
• Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold and require no special knowledge or equipment to install.
• Inspect all lights, decorations, and extension cords for damage before using. Holiday decorations are temporary.
• It is recommended that holiday decorations be removed by the first week of January.

Image via Shutterstock