MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) has urged residents to be careful with home heating equipment after responding to a residential fire Thursday possibly sparked by a space heater.
In a Facebook post, the MFRD said authorities responded to a residential fire call at a house on Alexander Boulevard Thursday afternoon. Crews were able to extinguish the fire; a preliminary investigation showed the preliminary cause may have been a space heater plugged into a surge protector that ignited nearby curtains.
Two people were in the home when the fire started, but the MFRD said they were evacuated and evaluated by EMS personnel. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
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(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department) -
(Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department)
The MFRD reminded residents about the dangers of portable heaters. The department said portable heaters, space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces can start fires if too close to combustible materials like drapes and furniture. The MFRD recommended leaving at least three feet of space between heat sources and flammable items.
Further, the MFRD said you should always plug space heaters directly into a wall and never into an extension cord or power strip. That way, you prevent overloading and causing a fire. Additionally, the MFRD said not to leave portable heaters turned on while you sleep.
