Preventable Fire Stories

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a fire in Kidderminster caused by an electric hair straightener.

The incident happened in Walter Nash Road at about 7.10pm yesterday.

Mick Rowlands, watch manager, explained that a teenage girl had been using a hair straightner which she then put down on some foam padding on her computer desk.

This started a fire which damaged her computer’s keyboard and her bedroom carpet and caused some smoke damage. The girl’s father then safely disconnected the device and put out the fire.

Mr Rowlands said: “This was unpleasant and a bit alarming for the family rather than a major incident.

“It is a good wake up call for people using electric hair straighteners and similar items.”

LINK

Curling iron causes fire at South Toledo apartments

An unattended curling iron caused a fire that resulted in $15,000 damage yesterday at Corners Apartments in South Toledo, authorities said. No one was hurt in the blaze reported just before 9 a.m. at 2225 North Reynolds Rd. near West Bancroft Street. The fire was under control in about 10 minutes, Battalion Fire Chief Christine Davis said. The fire started in the bathroom of a second-story apartment. A resident left for work with the curling iron plugged in, and it ignited clothing hanging nearby, Chief Davis said.

LINK

NOBLESVILLE — A hair dryer left running on the bathroom floor caused a fire Monday afternoon in the South Harbour subdivision, according to investigators.

Firefighters were called to 308 Redbay Drive about 3:30 p.m. and found heavy smoke in the house, said Noblesville Fire Division Chief Rick Russell.

He said the home’s owner, Melissa Claspell, was in the backyard with her two children when she heard an alarm coming from inside the house. She found the house full of smoke.

Russell said the fire started on the floor mat in front of the bathroom sink and was probably caused by the hair dryer left on the mat.

No one was injured in the fire, Russell said. Damage was estimated at $20,000, which includes smoke damage in the bathroom and hallway.

more at LINK

My power strip would be useful mounted on the wall above the bathroom sink.  It has GFI, and it also would shut off anything left plugged in by a distracted resident that started smoldering, like this case.  Curling irons, hair straighteners, etc.  Plus any rechargers for shavers and toothbrushes.

Blogging under “curling iron”, but using that category for all the hair dryer fires too.

The SmokeShutoff power strip will turn off curling irons at the first sign of smoke.

ST. AGATHA — A house fire Wednesday on St. Ann Avenue in St. Agatha caused over $275,000 in damage.

Township of Wilmot Fire Chief John Ritz said the cause is believed to be a curling iron that was left on.

A  dog inside the home died in the blaze, which occurred at around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The entire house was damaged, except for the garage, which contained gas cans and a riding lawn mower.

more at LINK

Posted By Brandon Walker

Timmins and Schumacher firefighters got the blaze at 99 Elm St. N. under control within 15 minutes of receiving the call on Sunday night.

Investigators examined the home on Monday and verified the fire was accidentally ignited when a curling iron was plugged in and forgotten about, fire officials said.

“The fire was started in an upstairs bedroom,” said Capt. Tom Thayer with the Timmins Fire Department. “It pretty well gutted the one room and made it to the attic.”

more at LINK

Apparently not an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) resident.  OCD’s check things 15 times before they leave the house.  For the rest of us, we can use this power strip in case we leave an iron or a curling iron or hair straightener plugged in.  Actually … I wonder if OCD’s would be a bit less worried about electronics if they owned a few of my power strips.

The Associated Press

Photo Pine Township Engine Company xxxx xxxxx center, training with fellow Pine Township firefighters.

PITTSBURGH — A firefighter who was badly burned during a Grove City house fire has died in a Pittsburgh hospital.

Twenty-one-year-old xxxx xxxx of the Pine Township Engine Company had burns on 75 percent of his body from fighting the fire on Friday. He was being treated at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office says xxxxx died early Wednesday morning in the hospital.

Forty-year-old xxxxxx  also died in the fire.

LINK

Investigators ruled the fire an accident. They say it was started by a running hair dryer left on a couch.

I don’t know if my power strip could have prevented this fire.  It depends on how much smoke was in the room before the fire erupted. 

Margaret Hennigan is getting closer to her family members these days, but perhaps not in the way she would have hoped. Ever since a Jan. 21 fire at her home in the 100 block of East Chatsworth Avenue, she is living day by day at the home of her son Karl, sleeping on his couch. Eight family members are now living in the home, which is a few doors down the street.

Until the fire, which occurred just before noon and was caused by a faulty hair dryer, Hennigan had lived in the home for 16 years. She raised her children there. Insurance adjusters say it could be as long as seven months before her family can move back in.

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I’ll blog it under the curling iron category. (Hair care appliance in the bathroom) Good place for my power strip, hung up near the mirror, above any hooks that hold curling irons, hair dryers, hair straighteners, etc.

 

By RENEE BROWN, T-R Staff Writer

New Philadelphia firefighters Ryan Murphy (L), Wes Tucke and Brandon Winnie work at the back of a house which caught fire Wednesday morning on 3rd St. NE near Tuscarawas Central Catholic High at New Philadelphia.

A fire Wednesday morning that destroyed a house at 715 3rd St. NE, New Philadelphia, was caused by an overloaded extension cord, investigators said.

Owner Betty Jane Heavilin had just left for work, and no one was home when the fire was discovered.

Capt. Jim Parrish of the New Philadelphia Fire Department said the fire began in the bathroom, noting that the extension cord had a hair dryer and curling iron plugged into it.

more at LINK

Sometimes people get in a hurry and forget to turn these things off.   I’ve also seen a recall on curling irons because they don’t really turn off all the way.  My power strip could have shut off the power to these items before the smoldering became a fire.

Sch’dy Crews Say Curling Iron May Have Caused Tues. Fire

Posted: Jan 16, 2008 10:27 AM

Schenectady firefighters are saying that a curling iron may be to blame for a house fire that caused some heavy damage along Hugh Street late Tuesday night.

The fire started just before 11:00p.m. on the 2200 block of Hugh Street in the city.  A large part of the interior of the house was destroyed, including a second-floor bedroom where fire crews were seen removing the charred remains of a mattress.

According to firefighters, a 14-year old was taken to Albany Medical Center, with minor burns and smoke inhalation.

LINK

I hope the teen is OK.  Some members of the fairer sex do seem to get distracted and leave curling irons plugged in.  Always better to buy the ones with the timer that shuts them off after a while.  Wouldn’t hurt to have them plugged into my power strip either, so the curling iron would be turned off at the first whiff of burning linens or heat-damaged hair.

Hairstyling Irons Recalled by Farouk Systems Inc. Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

CPSC LINK 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: WEE CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Irons

Units: About 5,700

Importer/Distributor: Farouk Systems Inc., of Houston, Texas

Hazard: The iron’s “on/off” switch was installed incorrectly. When the iron is plugged in and switch is in the “off” position, the iron remains “on,” which could pose fire and burn hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled hairstyling iron is black and measures 9.5 inches long. “CHI” is printed on the iron in red lettering. Date code 0306 or 0507 is embossed on the inside of the paddle.

Sold by: Professional beauty supply distributors and beauty salons nationwide from April 2006 through September 2007 for about $160.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact the firm to return the product for a full refund or replacement iron. Farouk Systems is directly notifying all distributors and retailers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Farouk Systems Inc. at (800) 237-9175 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.farouk.com