'Tis the season for holiday hazards
Fire Marshal says check cords, smoke detectors

A SMOKE DETECTOR saved the family that lived here. An overloaded extension cord destroyed their belongings.

A working smoke detector did its job last week, allowing Diedra Lawson, her three-year-old son Jalon and a puppy to escape a burning home, according to Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson.

The Jasper Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 9:23 p.m. and arrived at 2419 N. Wheeler at 9:31 p.m. The fire was extinguished by 10:48 p.m.

In an investigation the following morning, Williamson determined that an overloaded extension cord caused the fire, which damaged the majority of the family's possession, and neither the tenants nor property owner had insurance.

Williamson said he would urge families, especially this time of year, to be sure you have smoke detectors that are working, examine extension cords and discard any that are frayed or damaged, and do not overload the plugs in your system.