Air conditioner window unit damages house, Charleston
Monday, August 4th, 2008Smoke detectors woke up a family of four in their Forest Hills home Monday morning and probably helped them escape unhurt from the burning house, the North Charleston Fire Department said.
Firefighters responded to the house at 7708 Jadewood Drive at 2:44 a.m., Battalion Chief Eric Phillips said. Crews brought the flames under control in less than 10 minutes, though the damage to the single-family house was substantial.
An overheated air-conditioning unit caused the fire, a release says. The family escaped as toxic smoke, heat and flames were consuming the house. The local branch of the American Red Cross was helping them with temporary needs.
Family members told fire officials they made a habit of changing smoke-detector batteries every six monthsmore at LINK
my power strip could power off the air conditioner unit, which would be especially useful if nobody was home. the smoke might stop, and not as much of it would be blown into the house.