By Dan Shook
Bay City Fire Marshal
The Van Vleck Volunteer Fire Department and the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office responded to a trailer home on fire at 497 Camino Del Arroyo in Van Vleck, at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.
The Matagorda County Sherriff’s Office requested assistance from the Bay City Fire Marshal for the investigation.
The residents of the trailer home were not at home when the fire started.
When they arrived, they saw heavy smoke from their home.
The residents attempted to save several dogs that were still inside, but the heavy smoke conditions prevented them from entering the home.
Fire department crews battled the blaze for about an hour and a half.
The structure was a total loss, about $15,000.
There was no one injured during the incident.
The fire marshal performed a preliminary investigation. The fire started in a bedroom, where a space heater had been plugged in.
Although the heater was turned off prior to the residents leaving the home, there was indication that the power cord to the heater was frayed and possibly shorted out.
During the cold weather, the fire marshal wants to make sure everyone is taking precautions when using supplemental heating equipment.
The Texas Fire Marshal provides this guidance during the cold weather. Ways to stay safe during cold weather
Before using a portable heater, make sure there is no damage to the plug or power cable, and make sure it is rated to turn off when tipped over.
Always plug a space heater into an outlet, do not use power strips or extension cords.
Keep your space heater at least three feet from anything that can burn.
Turn off or unplug your space heater before you leave or go to bed.
If there is a loss of power, do not use a generator in your home or garage, keep it outside.
Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat the home.