Broadview Avenue Home Suffers Minor Fire While Owners Vacation

A Broadview Avenue home suffered minor damage due to an electrical fire on Tuesday night, according to the Maplewood Fire Department.

Fire Captain Joseph Callaghan reported that Platoon 4 responded to a residential alarm activation on Tuesday night, August 16. A perimeter check of the residence proved negative, but firefighters persisted in their search because they could hear the interior alarm sounding.

A neighbor informed the firefighters that the homeowners were away on vacation.

"We made entry into a second-floor window and were met with a heavy smoke condition," Callaghan reported. "We discovered a small fire on top of a fish tank that was extending to draperies and the ceiling."

The platoon quickly extinguished the fire.

"If this family had not had a centrally monitored system, this would have been a serious fire," said Callaghan.

According to Callaghan, firefighters found that the florescent lamp on top of the fish tank and the tank filter were both plugged into a "zip" cord — an inexpensive, thin electrical cord that is not designed for such a draw of electricity. "Do not use these," said Callaghan simply. 

Another tip from the fire captain: "When you are going to be away, let a trusted neighbor or family member know where you are. It will make it possible for us to contact you. In this case, the homeowner was only an hour away and made it home to survey the damage. Thankfully, it was confined to one room and was minor."