TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Fire Badly Damages Palifox Street Home

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com staff

Published: July 2, 2008

Updated: 07/02/2008 11:12 pm

TAMPA - Incense left unattended on a dresser caused a fire that heavily damaged a house Wednesday night at 1501 E. Palifox St., Tampa Fire Rescue officials said.

Crews spent 20 minutes bringing the blaze under control. A mother and her four daughters escaped before flames consumed the single-story home located about a half-mile east of Interstate 275, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said in a news release.

Firefighters also saved the family cat, which suffered smoke inhalation and was given oxygen. The family told firefighters that their dog was missing, but neighbors reported seeing the canine outside the burning house, Wade said.

According to investigators with the Tampa Fire Marshals Office, this is what happened shortly before 8 p.m.:

Nicole Parker, 29, who is renting the house, lit incense and placed it on top of a dresser in her bedroom. She closed the bedroom door and took a shower. Minutes later, her 6-year-old daughter banged on the door and told her mother that smoke was coming from her bedroom.

Parker opened the door and saw flames near the dresser. She and her children escaped from the flames, which caused about $70,000 damage to the house.

Investigators said it was fortunate the children were awake and smelled smoke. The flames would have spread quickly through the old wood-frame house, which may have trapped the family, investigators said.

There was no smoke alarm in the house.

More than 24 firefighters from six departments were at the scene. The American Red Cross is assisting Parker and her children with clothing and temporary shelter.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT