Firefighters douse Richmond Heights blaze
on April 4, 2011
Richmond firefighters responded to a fire in Richmond Heights at 7:30 Sunday night. Battalion Chief Erik Newman said the blaze at 5336 Sierra Avenue was accidental. It was likely started when a lit barbecue was knocked over into the garage of the house. The occupant was running a weedwacker in the yard, and the extension cord from the weedwacker tipped the grill. Newman said the occupant did not hear the fire at first because he was wearing headphones.
No one was injured in the fire. Chief Newman said the occupants spent the night at a Red Cross shelter. He estimated the damage to the home around $75,000.
Chief Newman said the blaze was contained quickly. “From the fire department’s standpoint, it went really well because no one was injured, but for the residents it is difficult,” he said.
Text by Christopher Connelly, photos by Veronica Moscoso.
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