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Items Left On Stove Ignite, Starting St. Pete House Fire

St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue

The kitchen was heavily damaged, with losses estimated to be about $10,000 dollars.

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TBO.com

Published: January 2, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - A person moving into a house had left items on a stove that were ignited this morning after Progress Energy Corp. turned on the property's power, causing a fire, St. Petersburg fire officials said.

The house, at 2532 Fourth Ave. S., was unoccupied at the time of the 10:20 a.m. blaze, Lt. Joel Granata of St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue said.

The person moving in had placed a stack of household items on the stove, Granata said. After the electricity was turned on, the stove became "energized," and the materials caught on fire, he said.

Firefighters had to force the front door open to ensure no one was inside, Granata said.

The flames were confined to the kitchen, and the fire was under control in 12 minutes, he said.

"With all that goes on in our lives, it's very easy to forget that you placed those household items on the stove," Granata said. "It's a very common mistake.

"Please be reminded to never place anything on top of the stove when moving in or out of your of your house or apartment," he said. "Once the power is turned on to the property and if the stove had been left on for any reason, there could be a fire."

The kitchen was heavily damaged, with losses estimated to be about $10,000 dollars.

An adult and two children were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross, Granata said.

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