News Release - Candle Blamed for House Fire

Damage from fire An unattended candle left burning on a television set is being blamed for a house fire that caused approximately $20,000 in damage and the loss of two pets. At approximately 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews responded after the homeowner called 9-1-1 to report the fire. The residents, which included a husband, wife and their 15-month-old daughter, left the home at about 5:45 p.m. When they returned five hours later, they opened the front door and found heavy smoke throughout the house. The homeowner quickly searched for his two dogs, finding one had already died from the heat and smoke. Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes of the emergency call and found the fire had already burned itself out, and light smoke was coming from the front door. Firefighters searched the home and found a second dog, also deceased. “It appears to be an accidental fire,” said Battalion Chief Gene Harrell. “There was a candle left burning on the television which is the most likely cause.”

According to the National Fire Prevention Association during 2004, the latest year for available statistics, candles in U.S. homes caused an estimated 17,200 reported structure fires, 200 civilian deaths and $200 million dollars in estimated direct property damage. “We need to pay attention when burning candles in the home,” Harrell said. “Sometimes it’s the littlest things that cause the most trouble.”

The home is a single-family concrete block structure valued at approximately $170,000. The residents of the home are staying with friends until the damage can be repaired.

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Yvonne Martinez

Public Information Coordinator
Phone (321) 952-3456 ext. 4678
Cell (321) 426-5194
130 Malabar Road
Palm Bay, FL 32907

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