TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
An unspecified malfunction of an
electric blanket caused a trailer fire that took the lives of
three cats and caused an estimated $70,000 in property damages.
According to Capt. Barrett Baker of the Tucson Fire
Department, the fire originated just before noon in the bedroom of a 5th
wheeler, located in the 4500 block of South Mission Road.
Cesar Molina, a bystander, saw smoke coming from the trailer's
bedroom. The owner was at a neighbor's trailer when he saw the fire and tried
to enter, but Molina took his pressure washer into the trailer to extinguish
the flames. Molina came in contact with the fire and reported having burned hair,
but he did not want medical attention.
Twenty-one firefighters and
eight units arrived on scene. The Tucson Fire Department removed the bed from the home to reduce
smoke damage and extinguished the residual flames. The fire was under control in less that than five
minutes, with no injuries to the firefighters.
Animal control responded to the scene to aid the owner with
the deceased cats.
The Tucson Fire Department reminds residents to unplug
electrical appliances when not in use to prevent potential accidents.
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