Authorities say a box fan that was on a recall list was to blame for a weekend house fire in Scottsbluff.
In a release, Fire Chief Tom Schingle said On Saturday at approximately 10:43 p.m, Scottsbluff Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire in the 1500 block of Avenue F. First arriving units were on scene in less than three minutes and had the fire controlled within five minutes of the initial page.
This quick response helped to minimize further damage to the structure and contents. No one was home at the time of the fire and Scottsbluff Police were able to quickly get two dogs out of the house and safely into the backyard.
The fire was kept to a corner of the living room, but smoke and heat damage were located throughout most of the main floor. Damages are estimated to be approximately $20,000 and an estimated $156,900 was saved. No injuries were reported during or after the fire.
The cause was determined to be unintentional from a box fan that is on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list. Scottsbluff Fire Department encourages everyone to regularly check the cpsc.gov website for recalls on products purchased or intending to be purchased.
Agencies assisting included Scottsbluff Police Department, Gering Fire Department, Regional West Emergency Medical Services, Nebraska Public Power District, and Black Hills Energy. Units were on scene for approximately two hours and a total of thirteen firefighters responded.
