Fire - News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2007
CONTACT: Firefighter/PIO Daniel Valenzuela
Glendale Fire Department, (623) 695-7668          

House Fire Due to Unsafe Smoking

For the second time in nearly three weeks firefighters responded to a house fire believed to be due to unsafe smoking.  On Friday, November 09, 2007, at approximately 8:00 am, firefighters responded to a home near 48th Avenue and Hayward in Glendale. When they arrived they found smoke coming from a bedroom of a single story home. According to witnesses, a teenage girl heard a smoke alarm sounding in a neighbor’s home and immediately told her Mother. The girl’s Mother called 9-1-1 and opened her neighbor’s door to let three dogs out. The homeowner left the house prior to the smoke alarm sounding.

Fortunately a working smoke alarm was in place and neighbors called 9-1-1 when they did. Firefighters arrived just a few minutes later and distinguished the fire before it could spread any further causing more damage and potentially injuring someone. Unfortunately the damage estimate is $20,000.  Fire Investigators believe the source was a cigarette that was not properly disposed of in a bedroom.

Less than three weeks ago firefighters were called out to a home near 47th Avenue and Peoria for a house fire also believed to be started due to smoking. Fortunately no one was injured in that fire either however the property damage estimates tallied $80,000.

The Glendale Fire Department urges those who choose smoke, to smoke outside and use proper disposal methods.  Smoking safety tips and fire alarm safety tips can be found on the Glendale Fire Department’s Website; www.glendaleaz.com/fire. Click here to view tips now.