MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - After four house fires in one day, Memphis firefighters are issuing a warning: your home could be next. The Memphis Fire Department says residents need to take these warnings seriously.
Three people were home Sunday, October 16, 2011, when a house in 2600 block of Sunbury caught fire. Neighbors like Tina Jansen stood in shock as smoke billowed from the house next door.
"It was scary," Jansen says. "The whole side of the house was blazing. We were afraid the other house would get on fire, too."
Luckily no one was hurt and firefighters controlled the blaze within minutes. But the flames were enough to shake Jansen.
"Today I went in the attic," she tells abc24.com, "and checked the filters and looked at the hot water tank. I made sure I didn't see anything wrong. All you can do is take precautions and check everything."
Memphis Fire Lt. Wayne Cooke says that's exactly what all Mid-South residents should do.
"Now is the time to do it," says Cooke.
The cause of the fire on Sunbury is still unknown. Lt. Cooke says the three other fires in South Memphis could have been easily avoided. One was a cooking fire, the other two were electrical.
"Electric systems will get old," Cooke says. "We recommend a licensed electrician come in and check the electrical system and if it needs updating, do it."
As the seasons begin to change, Lt. Cooke says residents need to get ready.
"We are facing the winter months," he says, "and we recommend that you have all your heaters inspected. If you're going to use a space heater, have it three feet from any combustible materials."
No one was hurt in any of Sunday's fires. The Memphis Fire Department provides free smoke detectors to anyone in the city.
