House Fire Started by Clothing Too Close to Water Heater

The  responded to the following incidents during the week of Nov. 21-27:

 Nov. 21

• Paramedic firefighters responded to four calls for emergency medical service.
• Firefighters investigated a carbon monoxide alarm malfunction. 
• One false fire alarm was reported.

Nov. 22

• A vehicle fire was reported in the parking lot of a restaurant in the 3200 block of Southdale Circle. The fire was out when firefighters arrived. Recent damage to the electrical system of the vehicle at the fuse box was the likely cause of the electrical short and fire. 
• Firefighters extinguished a fire in a construction dumpster in the 4300 block of Crocker Avenue. The cause of the fire was not determined.
• There were 11 EMS responses.
• A natural gas leak report was investigated at a restaurant in at the Galleria shopping center. Firefighters detected the slight odor, but it was not enough to register a reading on the gas monitor. The gas company responded to investigate further. 
• A report of a gas odor was investigated in the 5900 block of Dewey Hill Road.  No combustible gas was detected using gas monitors.  Sewer gas smell was noted in basement near the main drain. The homeowner was advised to put water in trap drain to see if smell dissipates.

Nov. 23

• Five EMS incidents.
• Firefighters investigated a carbon monoxide alarm reported in the 5800 block of Saint Johns Avenue. Levels of carbon monoxide were measured in the home and suspected to be from using the gas stove and oven for hours without the ventilation fan or any fresh air exchange. 
• Three false fire alarms were investigated.

Nov. 24

• Nine EMS responses.
• Two false fire alarms.

Nov. 25

• 13 EMS incidents.
• Paramedics and an engine crew responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy. 62 at Tracy Avenue. 
• One false fire alarm was investigated.

Nov. 26

• A smoke alarm alerted a family to a fire at a home in the 6400 block of Josephine Avenue. A dry chemical fire extinguisher was discharged when the fire was discovered. The family evacuated safely and called 911. Firefighters arrived, extinguished the remaining smoldering fire which appeared to be caused by clothing on the floor too close to the water heater. The clothing ignited from the flame in the water heater. Fire damage was isolated to the items on the floor and the water heater itself. Smoke was ventilated from the home.
• There were 12 EMS responses.
• Firefighters investigated a report of an electrical smell at a home in the 5400 block of Mirror Lakes Drive. A florescent bulb in a lamp had malfunctioned. It had charred and melted the aluminum around the base of the bulb.
• Two false fire alarms were reported.

Nov. 27

• 10 EMS incidents.
• One false fire alarm was investigated.