Extension-cord short starts house fire in Newport News

Posted to: Newport News News

By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 11, 2009

NEWPORT NEWS

People sleeping in a house escaped without being hurt from an electrical fire early this morning, the Newport News Fire Department said.

The fire was reported at 2:44 a.m. at a house in the 3000 block of Madison Ave. Smoke and flames were coming from the second floor when firefighters arrived at 2:51, a statement said.

The cause was a short in an extension cord hooked to a heater in a bedroom, the Fire Department's statement said, adding that the house had working smoke detectors.

The American Red Cross was called to help the people who lived there. At least five people were displaced, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Craft said.

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