Middletown Fire Department Urges Caution When Storing Items Near Heat Producing Elements, Including Lights

On Wednesday night shortly after 7 p.m., the responded to an emergency call reported from a resident on River Run Road after seeing smoke coming from the attic area of his home, according to Middletown Fire Department Chief Ronald Doire.

Middletown's Engines 1 and 37 and Ladder 39 responded to the scene, led by Captain Brian Powell. Upon arrival, they found that a sack filled with clothes in the attic had come in contact with a light bulb, Doire reported.

The sack was removed by firefighters and quickly extinguished with a portable water extinguisher, he said.

Firefighters learned that a resident there had recently moved something in the attic storage space and unknowingly pushed the material against the light bulb that was on at the time, he said.

"Fortunately someone was home, smelled the smoke and immediately called 911," Doire said.

Besides the light bulb and sack of clothes, no other damage to the home was reported.

Chief Doire issued a reminder to all residents that many items found in the home that produce heat should remain clear of anything that is combustible. Light bulbs, candles, toasters, space heaters, hot plates, furnaces, wood stoves, and many other heat producing devices can start a fire if they come in contact with  combustible materials, Doire noted.