DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A man was injured in a house fire that the Decatur Fire Department says was started by a space heater.
DFD was called to a house in the 600 block of E. Wood. at 1:30 Sunday afternoon.
Fire was showing from the living room windows when crews arrived. They were able to quickly put the fire out.
There was one person inside when the fire started. He told the fire department that a kerosine space heater that he was using in the living room caught fire. He was unable to put the fire out using a blanket.
He left the house and flagged down a nearby Macon County Sherriff's Deputy who reported the fire and called for an Abbott Ambulance to respond.
The man had some minor burns to his hands. He was transported to St. Mary's Hospital for further evaluation by Abbott Ambulance.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the man who will be displaced for an unknown period of time. The fire was investigated by the Decatur Fire Department.
The Decatur Fire Department reminds the public of the following key safety tips regarding space heaters:
- Never plug a space heater into an extension cord unless it is explicitly allowed by the manufacturer. For optimal safety, always plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords can overheat and increase the risk of fire, especially when used with high-wattage devices like space heaters. Always prioritize direct connections to power sources for safer operation.
- Keep combustible items away from the space heater.
- Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for safe use
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