GAINESVILLE - A space heater seems to be to blame for an early morning fire in Hall County Monday that left five people without a place to live.<br />
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Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said the fire broke out just after 6 a.m. in a mobile home on Mountain View Road. Firefighters from both the city of Gainesville and Hall County were called to the scene, according to Cagle.<br />
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"All occupants were able to exit the structure without any injuries," said Cagle. "Of course, we are very thankful for that. These folks did not have smoke alarms in the home at the time of the fire."<br />
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Cagle said fire damage was kept to the back half of the home but the home sustained smoke damage throughout, so the structure was unlivable. He said the American Red Cross is assisting the residents with clothing and housing.<br />
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Cagle said it appears the origin of the fire was a space heater sitting near a small decorative Christmas tree.<br />
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"The heater itself either overheated and malfunctioned, or it's certainly possible that it cause the small Christmas tree on fire, and [fire] extended up to the wall," said Cagle.<br />
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Because temperatures have been so frigid - and are expected to be even colder Monday and Tuesday nights - Cagle said fire officials are concerned about more incidents sparked by space heaters.<br />
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"This is something we talk about every single year, we talk about it every time there's a cold snap - people really have to be careful with their alternative heating," said Cagle. "Those space heaters need their space...three feet around that heater. There should be no combustible material [nearby] - no beds, no linens, no curtains, no blinds or anything of that nature."<br />
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Cagle also emphasized the need for working smoke detectors in homes and businesses. He said both the Hall County and Gainesville fire departments offer free smoke alarms to those who can't afford to purchase their own.
