DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora Fire Rescue extinguished a blaze inside a two-story, single-family home on South Uvalda Street Monday night, but took the opportunity to caution residents about accidental electrical fires from home heating systems.
At about 6:26 p.m., units arrived in the 400 block of South Uvalda Street and found light smoke within the home. Crews pulled down some ceiling drywall to assess the situation, the fire agency reported, and found an active fire in the attic space.
No residents were injured — two adults and two dogs were displaced by the fire, but they were able to safely evacuate before crews were on scene. The Red Cross has been contacted to help with temporary accommodations.
Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and originated in the attic.
Aurora Fire Rescue noted that as cold weather continues throughout the next few months, home heating systems will be used more. The agency urged residents to prevent similar fires in their own homes by following electrical safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Always plug major appliances directly into appropriate wall outlets.
- All major appliances, which could have a large electrical load, should not be plugged into extension cords or power strips
- Do not overload electrical outlets
- Overloaded outlets can overheat and become fire hazards
- Fully insert electrical plugs into sockets
- Loose connections can generate heat and cause a fire risk
- Never force a three-pronged plug into a two-slot outlet
- The third prong is for grounding. Compromising the grounding also compromises the safety of the plug
- If you have young children, install tamper-resistant electrical outlets to prevent accidental shocks
- Replace wall outlets where plugs do not fit snugly
- Loose outlets can lead to arcing, increasing the risk of fire
The Aurora agency said that proactive steps and routine safety checks are key to keeping home environments safe.
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