Bay City Fire Marshal
The Palacios Volunteer Fire Department, the Palacios Fire Marshal, and the Palacios Police Department were dispatched to a trailer house on fire at 405 E Craymer, trailer #26 Thursday, Nov. 2.
A homeowner was mowing a neighbor’s lawn when he identified smoke coming from his trailer.
Two people were home at the time of the fire and were alerted to the fire by the homeowner.
In spite of no working smoke detectors, the two occupants were able to escape any injury from the fire.
The initial police officer on scene identified there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the inside of the trailer.
The fire department was able to bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
The fire marshal performed an investigation.
The fire started in the master bedroom of the home.
Throughout the residence, there was evidence of improper wiring, performed by the homeowner who was not a licensed electrician.
The wiring was not to installed to the National Electric Code.
There was also evidence of wiring that had been arcing and circuits were overloaded.
The area of origin was determined to be near an electric oil heater, near the electrical panel.
The cause of the fire is listed as arcing electrical equipment.
The fire marshal recommends that wiring be performed by a licensed electrician.
In addition, working smoke detectors should be installed in sleeping rooms and other areas of the home.