Investigators have determined that a house fire in December was linked to a faulty surge protector.
According to Tuesday's statement from the Cary Fire Department, the Dec. 28 fire is at least the fifth in Cary to be connected to a specific kind of surge protector, which is often installed with heating and air conditioners by contractors.
The affected surge protectors are identified as Type 2 surge protectors and are labeled Supco Model SCM150, and Sycom Model SYC-120/240-T2. Both are manufactured by Sycom Surge, Inc.
According to Cary officials, these models are deemed potentially hazardous by UL, a global safety consulting and certification company.
Homeowners are asked to spread the word and check their surge protectors. In the most recent fire, investigators determined that a Supco surge protector on the home's A/C unit caught fire, scorching the side of the home.