Electric blanket causes house fire

The South County Spotlight, Feb 1, 2012

Courtesy photo / CRF&R

CONTAINED— Firefighters were able to contain a Jan. 29 St. Helens house fire to the bedroom after a malfunctioning electric blanket ignited the blaze.

Investigators say a malfunctioning electric blanket was to blame for a Jan. 29 house fire in St. Helens that caused $15,000 in damage and killed a family cat.

The fire began just after 9 p.m. on Sunday at 34026 Bachelor Flat Road. Columbia River Fire and Rescue Division Chief Bill Goodwin said in a press release that the bedroom fire was able to be contained to that one room in part because homeowner Jerald Dusek used a garden hose to contain the blaze. Firefighters were then able to quickly control the fire, Goodwin said, with an “interior fire attack.”

The home is insured and did not have a working smoke detector. Damage is estimated at $10,000 with $5,000 in lost belongings.

Fire crews were on the scene for two hours.

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