The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to a possible house fire on Clement Avenue this morning at 7:27 AM. E5 arrived 3 minutes later to find a one-story house with moderate smoke showing from the house. Their investigation revealed an overheated extension cord that was under combustibles, which were smoldering. The fire was extinguished and smoke removed from the house. There was no structural damage and the occupants will still be living in the house.
The DFD responded with 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, and 2 support vehicles. E5 remained on scene for 45 minutes. DFD firefighters conducted a walk through of the house and found another extension cord that was potentially overloaded. 2 smoke alarms were also installed in the house while we were on the scene.
Please do no use extension cords when using appliances or items such as space heaters. They are designed to be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Most extension cords are not designed to handle the electricity needed to supply these appliances. Extension cords are also not designed to have more than one attached. No cords should be under any furniture or any combustibles such as carpets or clothing.
Smoke alarms should be in every home. If no one was home at the time of the incident the outcome could have been much different.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief