Exhaust fan to blame for house fire
A fire investigator with the Yuma Fire Department has determined that an electrical fire at a home in Yuma Tuesday morning was caused by an exhaust fan in the ceiling of the master bathroom.
According to Fire Marshal Kayla Holiman the fire has been ruled accidental. She added that the occupant was not home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries reported.
Shortly before 10 a.m., a fire was reported in the 2800 block of West 29th Street. When firefighters arrived, they found light smoke coming from the eaves of the residence at 2847 W. 29th St.
Firefighters located the fire in the master bathroom inside the home, quickly containing and extinguishing it. They later confirmed that the fire had only spread to an adjacent bathroom through the attic space.
A domestic water line melted in the attic during the fire and suppressed the fire long enough for firefighters to arrive, and limit fire damage.
The home did have working smoke alarms, according to Holiman. However, due to damage done to electrical lines in the ceiling, the home is not able to be reoccupied until repairs are done.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the resident of the home.
“Fortunately this fire was discovered early, allowing for quick containment by the first arriving units,” Holiman said. “Fires in bathroom exhaust fans are a common cause of residential fires here in Yuma.”
YFD reminded residents to make sure their bathroom exhaust fans are cleaned frequently to avoid lint buildup, and to always remember to turn the switch off when leaving the bathroom.