April 18 -Firefighters responded to an early morning structure fire of a single family dwelling at the 18700 block of San Bernardino Ave. in Bloomington. Upon their arrival, the fire which had originated in the living room, had spread to the adjacent kitchen area and moving down a hallway. With an aggressive attack, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and keep it from spreading any further in the home.

A lit candle was accidentally left burning on a windowsill above a large upholstered chair. It is believed the family dog may have knocked the candle over during the night, causing the candle to catch the chair on fire. The smoke alarm sounded, waking the male adult occupant. The father was then able to reach his two teenage sons in a nearby bedroom and safely exit the home.

No injuries were sustained. Damage to the interior and content of the home is estimated at $35,000.

This home fire could have ended in tragedy had the smoke alarm not activated alerting the residents. San Bernardino County Fire reminds citizens to have working smoke detectors in their home and test them routinely. Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home and a working smoke alarm can reduce one’s chances of dying in a fire by nearly a half. To learn more about fire alarms and escape route planning, visit our website at www.sbcfire.org.

San Bernardino County Fire reminds you to keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. Never extinguish candles with water, as the water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break. Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use, keep candles out of reach of children and pets. For more safety tips, visit our website at www.sbcfire.org.

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