JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Five fires on one cold morning have Jacksonville Fire Rescue Spokesperson Eric Prosswimmer reminding folks to be safe while trying to warm up.
Prosswimmer gave the following descriptions of each fire Tuesday morning:
1st Fire
No injuries were reported after a fire broke out on Old Plank Road in a vacant trailer Tuesday morning. The fire left the trailer completely destroyed and the fire is under investigation.
2nd Fire
Two dogs died in a fire Tuesday morning at a home on Otis Road in Jacksonville. JFRD did not report any other injuries as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
3rd Fire
Another fire Tuesday morning happened at a vacant house on 25th Street in Jacksonville. Neighbors in the area believe the fire could have been started by people seeking shelter from the cold, but the official cause is under investigation.
4th Fire
Two adults were assisted by the Red Cross after a fire at a home Blake Avenue, but no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
5th Fire
Another vacant house caught fire Tuesday on 22nd and Main Street. No injuries were reported. People living in the area said they believe people seeking shelter from the cold started the fire, but the official cause is under investigation.
How to prevent fires in the cold weather
While the causes of these fires are still being investigated, Prosswimmer says one recurring issue this time of year stands out more than most.
“The biggest problems we have is with extension cords," said Prosswimmer. "Don’t overload your extension cords.”
For anyone who splurged on Black Friday or Cyber Monday on new appliances, Prosswimmer says it’s always a good idea to make sure your electrical panel can handle them.
“Some of them are older and they aren’t ready to handle the appliances that are made today," said Prosswimmer.
JFRD put out a fire started by a heating pad the day after Thanksgiving.
“The guy said it was really old," said Prosswimmer. "The plastic on the wiring is probably brittle, started to break away, exposing wires.”
Prosswimmer says to check things like that before plugging it in, especially when the cold weather gadgets have been tucked away all year.
“Some of these things are really well made," said Prosswimmer. "They keep working for years and years and years, but their protective coatings and outershells aren’t made to be.”
He says if you use a space heater, make sure they have plenty of room around them and are on solid ground so kids and pets can’t knock them over.