April 10, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-25) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO APARTMENT FIRE Firefighters from Mobile Fire-Rescue Department were called to an apartment fire at the Orange Grove Housing Community Tuesday, April 10, 2001. The apartment building, owned by Mobile Housing Board, is located at 266 5th Court. The fire was reported at approximately 1:03 p.m. and first fire-rescue units arrived on the scene at approximately 1:07 p.m. reporting heavy smoke coming from the one story, brick and masonry building. The fire appears to have originated in the corner of the back bedroom of 266 and spread to the attic above. The remaining 5 units in the building were spared any damage from the fire. Renata Young, the occupant of 266, told Mobile Fire Investigators that she had an extension cord with several appliances plugged into it in the corner where the fire appears to have originated. Fire Investigators found remnants of the cord with an air conditioning unit; television, fan, VCR, and lamp plugged into it. Investigators also found remnants of clothing piled on top of and around the cord. The fire appears to have been caused by an overload of the electrical system but remains under investigation. No damage estimate is available at this time. No injuries were reported. Engines 2, 3, 14, 21, truck 4, rescue 14 and District 1 Chief Ed Salva responded to the fire. ###