August 13, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2011-59) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org ONE INJURED AT APARTMENT FIRE Firefighters responded to an apartment fire at Mattox House Apartments, located at 1108 Oak Street, today, Saturday, August 13. The call was received at approximately 4:20 p.m. Firefighters arrived in approximately four minutes and reported heavy fire coming from multiple windows of apartment 2, located on the first floor of the two-story, wood frame building. Firefighters brought the fire under control in less than five minutes upon arrival. A twenty-four year old female occupant received an approximately four inch laceration on her left arm after breaking a window out to escape the fire with her two small children, who were unharmed. She was transported by Firemedics to a local hospital for treatment. Her injuries were not life threatening. The female occupant told fire investigators she was asleep and her sons, ages 2 and 4 woke her up to tell her the bed was on fire in the living room. The fire appears to have originated in the living room near or on a bed located in that room. The cause remains under investigation at this time. Damage is estimated at approximately $60 thousand. Investigators found a smoke detector sitting on a kitchen counter that apparently had been disconnected. Smoke alarms are early warning devices that save lives and alert occupants in the event of a fire. They must be properly maintained with fresh batteries or connected to hard wires to work however. Engines 2, 3, 8; truck 4; rescues 14, 23 and District Chief John Young responded. The Bureau of Fire Prevention is conducting the investigation. ###