Family Forced Out of Home After Space Heater Fire
Devastating Blaze Engulfs House
A family has been forced out of their NW Miami-Dade home after a space heater sparked a fire that engulfed the house in flames. The incident left the family shaken and displaced, with the loss of their beloved home.
A Family’s Tragic Loss
Relatives say a 92-year-old woman and her 70-year-old daughter were inside the home when the fire broke out. The family’s great-granddaughter, Tawshana Brown, described the scene as "just a lot of devastation and brokenness. This is the only house I know."
The Cause of the Fire
According to the family, the fire broke out just after 10 a.m. Sunday after one of the women connected a space heater to a power strip. The fire started in a bedroom at the back of the home, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
A Cautionary Tale
Brown expressed her concerns about the safety of space heaters, saying, "A mobile space heater you can buy at your local Walmart or Family Dollar. I don’t trust it." Erika Benitez with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue echoed these concerns, warning residents to take the time to inspect and prepare their heating equipment before using it.
Precautions to Take
Benitez offered some valuable advice for residents, saying, "Keep the portable heating units at least three feet away from anything that can possibly burn and avoid the use of extension cords with space heaters."
Support for the Family
The American Red Cross is working to contact the family, which has lost everything in the devastating blaze. The community is coming together to support the family in this difficult time, offering a helping hand and a listening ear.
Conclusion
The family’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and the devastating consequences of a single mistake. As the community rallies around the family, we are reminded of the importance of being prepared and taking precautions to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused the fire?
- The fire was caused by a space heater that was connected to a power strip.
- How did the fire start?
- The fire started in a bedroom at the back of the house.
- What is being done to support the family?
- The American Red Cross is working to contact the family and offer support.
- What precautions can I take to prevent a similar fire from occurring?
- Keep portable heating units at least three feet away from anything that can possibly burn, and avoid using extension cords with space heaters.
