Improper Use of Extension Cords Causes El Paso Blaze

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December 2011

Fire investigators have determined that the fire, which was originally reported as 3121 E Wyoming but actually located at 3117 E Wyoming, was accidental due to the improper use of extension cords.  The resident stated that he was watching television when he saw sparks from his extension cord.  The sparks resulted in a fire, which the resident attempted to extinguish before calling the fire department. 

This resulted in a delayed response and partially accounts for the accelerated fire growth that was found upon arrival of fire units.  The investigation showed that the residence did not have utilities and that the extension cord was actually run from the main residence to the smaller unit in the rear. 

The extension cord had multiple devices plugged into it which, along with visible wear and weather damage, resulted in the overloading of the power supply.   This fire resulted in no injuries and approximately $7,000 in damages.The contributing factors in this fire were:

• Improper electrical use- extension cords are never suitable for use as permanent wiring and should never be loaded beyond their listed capacity in any circumstance. The electric company website has many electrical safety tips and also provides contact information for agencies that can assist families in need. 

• Flammable liquid storage-flammable liquids were stored indoors and resulted in accelerated fire growth once ignition occurred.
  
• Possible hoarding behaviors- also result in accelerated fire growth and can result in difficulty escaping during an emergency.
• Delayed reporting of the fire- once a fire starts it grows with extreme speed.   Attempting to fight the fire yourself and waiting to notify the fire department are dangerous behaviors.  Get out, stay out, and call 911 as soon as possible.
• Reminder: It is an excellent safety practice to conduct a home safety survey to help identify any thing in your home that may not be as safe as it possibly could be.  If you have any questions about fire safety, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at 485-5699 or visit your neighborhood fire station for assistance.

Author:El Paso Fire Department Press Release