July 20, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Cedar Grove Home Damaged in Fire

■ Residence forced to escape out back window

A fire that officials believe started in a utility room, heavily damaged a Cedar Grove home this morning around 11:15 a.m. Resident Jerry Bennett, 63, told fire officials that prior to the fire at 214 West 79^th Street, he was inside when he heard what he thought was the sound of someone falling. When he went to investigate, Bennett noticed a small fire in the outside utility room attached to the home’s carport. When he went to retrieve a garden hose to extinguish the fire, Bennett said that the fire intensified and by the time he got back had gotten out of control. When firefighters arrived, flames and smoke were already pouring from the carport and roof of the home.

Bennett and the home’s other occupants, Jearl Bennett, 53, and Henry Harvey,18, all were able to escape unharmed but not before some tense moments. Jerry Bennett said that the fire had blocked their exit through the kitchen to the carport and a stuck front door forced them to try a back bedroom. There, they were forced to push out an air conditioner unit before finally being able to make their escape.

The fire was listed as being under control at 11:38 a.m. Fire damage was heavy to the home’s carport, utility room, and roof over both areas. Also damaged was a Ford Festiva’ parked under the carport at the time of the fire. Additionally, the interior of the home sustained heave smoke damage. Fire investigators have determined that the vapors from a lawnmower stored inside the utility room were ignited by the open flame of the home’s hot water heater, also housed in the room. ###