December 4, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-75) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE TO HOUSE Neighbors called 911 to report a fire in a house located at 2056 West Victory Drive on Tuesday morning, December 4, 2001. The call was received at approximately 8:46 a.m. and first fire units arrived at approximately 8:50 a.m. reporting heavy smoke and fire showing from the structure. The occupants Toronda A. P. Gable and Romar Lamar Gable both 34 and their 4 children were not home at the time of the fire. The fire appears to have originated in the Southwest bedroom of the one-story, wood frame structure. The fire spread into the attic above and caused heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the structure. Mobile Fire Investigators discovered that the house had no power meter and the occupants were obtaining power illegally by jumping the power lines. Investigators could not find an exact cause of the fire siting that multiple extension cords were found throughout the house as well as a space heater in the room of origin that could have been the cause. The cause remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at approximately $45 thousand. No injuries were reported. Engines 9, 16, 23, truck 24, rescue 23 and Acting District 4 Chief Captain Brian Smith responded to the call. ###