Firefighters responded to a fire Tuesday night at an Orange County home caused by a malfunctioning home-heating unit, according to Fire Rescue spokesman Michael Jachles.
First responders arrived at Quail Pond Street, just east of Conway, to find smoke coming out of the eaves of a one-story home. The fire extended into the air handler and to the attic before it was contained, according to Jachles. The home belonged to an 80-year-old woman and her husband, Jachles said. The woman was not injured, and the husband was not home at the time of the fire, Jachles said.
The fire started as a result of a malfunctioning heater which had been left on for two days, which is a common reason for house fires while colder temperatures continue to drop, Jachles said.
“When you first turn on the house heater, you get the smell of dust burning off the coils,” he said. “The smell should dissipate after a few minutes. If it persists, and you start to see smoke, sparks or flames call the fire department.”