An electric blanket on a fold-up bed caused $200,000 to a Mentone unit over the weekend.
A woman was home at the time but self-evacuated thanks to a working smoke alarm.
The property - a single storey brick veneer unit - is one of four on the block.
An elderly couple in the next door unit were evacuated safely when it was feared the fire would spread to their unit, however, it only sustained minor smoke damage. No injuries were recorded. The blaze was brought under control in thirty minutes.
Details of Fire/Incident
Address: Southern Rd, Mentone
Date: June 17, 2012
Time: 04:42 hours
Call Number: 6587
Pumpers: 4
Rescue units: 1
Aerial Units: 1
Other Units: 1 (Breathing Apparatus Support)
Number of firefighters: 22
Electric Blanket safety tips:
- Check that wires are not damaged.
- Put the electric blanket on the bed completely flat with controls beside the bed.
- Half an hour before getting into bed turn the blanket on.
- Turn off the controls and the power when you get into bed.
For more Winter Fire Safety tips visit www.homefiresafety.com.au
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