Home severely damaged in Yuma fire
A house was severely damaged following a fire in Yuma Monday morning. The Yuma Fire Department responded to the home, in the 400 Block of S. 21st Ave., shortly before 2 a.m.
Firefighters said they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the front windows, and flames coming through the roof of the home. The home also had a large tree overhanging the house that firefighters believd increased the danger of fire spreading. YFD said firefighters protected neighboring homes and extinguished the fire in approximately 15 minutes.
YFD said the house and contents were severely damaged. The resident was not home at the time of the fire. There were two dogs in the yard but they were not injured. Fire investigators were called to the scene and have determined the fire originated in the living room and had an electrical cause.
Firefighters said although this home was not occupied at the time of the fire, it is a reminder that most fatal fires occur late at night or early in the morning. Every year 2000 to 3000 people die in fires here in the United States. It is estimated that half of those who died may have lived, if there had been a working smoke alarm in the home. Most homes these days are equipped with smoke alarms, but due to poor maintenance (often batteries are found to be dead or disconnected) many fail to work properly when a fire occurs. Smoke alarms save lives!
