The Paris Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 558 East Neagle, Saturday Evening just before 6:00 p.m. The fire was discovered in a bedroom by one of the adults staying in the home. When units arrived on scene they found smoke coming from the single family dwelling. The occupants tried to extinguish the fire by using a water hose and spraying in to the window of the bedroom.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and stop the fire from spreading to the rest of the home. The bedroom received extensive damage and the remainder of the home had heavy smoke and heat damage. The home was not a total loss.
Police, Fire and EMS units were on scene for approximately two and half hours.
There were no one injured as a result of the fire. After the investigation, it was determined that a child eight years of age discovered matches and started the fire in the bedroom.
The Paris Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind all adults to lock up all matches and lighters in a safe location. NFPA reports that between 2007 and 2011, an average of 49,300 fires involving playing with fire were reported to U.S. municipal fire departments per year. These fires caused annual averages of 80 civilian deaths, 860 civilian injuries, and $235 million in property damage. Structure fires accounted for 23% of fires, but 98% of civilian deaths, 93% of civilian injuries, and 91% of property damage.
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, especially when it comes to children.