COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters extinguished a fire in a detached garage at 4711 Breckenridge Drive at about 11:08 p.m. Sunday.
The homeowner heard a smoke alarm in a detached garage and went to check, where he found smoldering insulation in the garage attic space and called 911, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and spoke with the homeowner who advised firefighters that he had attempted to extinguish the smoldering insulation prior to the fire department’s arrival. When firefighters entered the garage, they found that the electrical panel breaker for the garage was tripped.
Firefighters used a ladder to access the garage’s attic where they found smoldering insulation and charring to a section of oriented strand board (OSB). In an attempt to limit damages to the homeowner’s property, firefighters removed personal property from the garage before removing three sections of the oriented strand board sheets, Wilson said. Firefighters collected the smoldering insulation and soaked the material with water to prevent re-ignition.
During the investigation firefighters found a heavily damaged electrical connection in the attic space with several extension cords plugged into the connection. Firefighters believe that the cords were over-powered which caused intense heat that melted the connector. As a result, the cellulose insulation became involved and smoldered in the attic space.
The cause of the fire was ruled accidental and was attributed to the improper use of extension cords. Damages are estimated at $1,000. No injuries were reported.
The Columbus Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that extension cords are intended to be used only as a temporary extension of power. Any long term use of a chord, or overpowering of a cord, can cause the cord to break down and create conditions that can lead to a fire. Extension cords should never be placed under a rug where foot traffic could damage the insulation of the cord. Residents are advised to follow the manufacturer recommendations for appropriate extension cord use. Also be sure to ensure that the cord gauge is appropriate for its intended use. Not all extension cords are the same in terms of the amperage and wattage that they are intended to carry.
