Local News

A portable heater came close to burning down a house last week in the Jerome Prairie area. The danger was not due to how close the heater was to combustibles, but from the electrical strain in a power cord.

Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the incident at a home on Midway Avenue and found the resulting electrical short burned the outlet and the wall, filling the house with smoke.

The incident summoned a quick response from firefighters to secure the power source and ensure fire had not extended into the walls of the dwelling. Crews also helped the occupant clear out the smoke.

Rural Metro officials said an investigation revealed that the upright oscillating heater had been working to warm a room, but it was sharing a light extension cord with another device. The electrical strain found the weak point in the system where the cord plugged into the outlet.

It was the second similar "close call" involving overloaded extension cords for Rural Metro this month.

Fire officials urge caution with power sources for portable heaters. Plug heaters into their own outlet using the provided cord. Do not use power strips or extension cords. Avoid using the heater at its maximum settings for long periods. Avoid sharing other appliances or devices on the same outlet as the heater. If a heater pops the breaker or fuse, there is likely a problem that needs corrected. Always have a working smoke alarm in case an electrical fire breaks out overnight.