May 9, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Stubborn Fire Damages Cross Lake Apartment

A fire that appears to have started from a halogen lamp damage a residence at a Cross Lake apartment complex this afternoon shortly before 3:00 p.m. Steve Nightengale, 31, said that he was sleeping in the livingroom of his apartment at the Summer Point Apartments, 5720 South Lakeshore Drive, when the smoke alarm woke him up. Investigating the alarm, Nightengale found the curtains of his bedroom, that were laying across the top of a freestanding halogen lamp, on fire as well as the comforter of his bed ablaze. Nightengale stated that he pulled the curtains down and grabbed the comforter, shoved them into the bathtub where he turned on the water in an attempt to extinguish the combustible materials.

As the curtains and comforter smoldered in the bathtub, Nightengale turned around only to find the mattress now on fire. He ran into the kitchen and drew a pot of water and doused the mattress, but the fire persisted. Nightengale then used a fire extinguisher on the stubborn bed. A couple of blasts from the extinguisher and the flames appeared to be gone - only to return a moment later. At this point Nightengale called 911. When firefighters arrived, light smoke could be seen coming from third floor apartment 909. Crews from the department’s Pines Road station were able to make quick work out of the mattress and had it extinguished within minutes of their arrival. It was taken outside and further deluged to ensure that it was out for good.

Property damage was listed as minor. No civilians or firefighters were injured. ###