Cause determined of Thursday night apartment fire

GAINESVILLE - Officials said a downtown Gainesville fire Thursday night was caused by an electrical shortage.

Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada said the tenant of the East Avenue apartment had leaned a mattress up against a surface-mounted electrical outlet, damaging it.

"The result of that shorted out, caught the box springs and mattresses on fire, which spread the fire throughout the apartment," he said.

Canada said the damage from the fire is estimated at about $15,000.

Gainesville firefighters battled the downtown blaze in a two-story brick apartment house off Jesse Jewell Parkway near historic Mule Camp Springs. Canada said no one was injured in the fire, which was reported around 8 p.m. at 420 East Avenue.

"Upon arrival fire crews found heavy fire showing from the upstairs of this apartment," he said.

Canada said everyone inside got out safely. Firefighters remained on the scene snuffing out hot spots and trying to determine the cause.

"This lady was sleeping and when she woke up there was fire in the room," said 12-year-old Edwin Santos, who lives nearby.