Unattended Candle Starts Bedroom Fire in Las Vegas, 1 Pet Perishes

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Fire investigators ruled a house fire accidental on January 12, 2012, the result of a candle left burning unattended in a bedroom.  Four pets were involved in the fire and three people are displaced.            

Fire dispatchers received a number of calls at 2:34 p.m. that a house on the corner of W. Alta Drive and S. Mallard Street was on fire.  When firefighters arrived at 501 S. Mallard St., they found thick black smoke coming out the front door of a single story home.            

The front door was already open; firefighters entered the home, went down the hallway to the bedroom and put the fire out in less than 10 minutes.            

The fire gutted the bedroom, and damaged the hallway.  There was heavy smoke damage throughout the house.  Damage was estimated at $80,000.            

Three people live in the home and one of them was home at the time of the fire.  He told investigators he had a candle burning in the back bedroom and left the room for a while.  He began to smell smoke and the smoke alarm activated.  He tried to put the fire out and was unsuccessful.  He was later taken to the hospital with minor smoke inhalation.            

The family consists of three and they have four pets.  One pet died in the fire, one was injured and two are unaccounted for.  The American Red Cross is assisting the family.            

Fires started by candles is one of leading causes of fires in Las Vegas.  They are extremely dangerous, especially if they are left burning unattended.



Author:Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Press Release