Fire Department

A fire that caused approximately $3000 in damage at an east-side home was traced to an electrical problem in the attic potentially caused by raccoons.

Engine Company 3 responded to the 1100 block of East Mifflin Street, finding light smoke coming from a corner of the two-story, single-family home. The homeowner told firefighters a breaker tripped after he turned on a light switch. After resetting the breaker, he smelled something burning and saw smoke in the attic.

Firefighters accessed the attic and discovered insulation burning, as well as some charring on the structural components of the attic. Engine 3 quickly knocked down the fire with a water can extinguisher. Engine 1, Ladder 1, and Medic 3 assisted with salvage and overhaul, removing all the adjacent insulation from the attic.

The removal of insulation revealed multiple wires in the attic that had been chewed through by a rodent or other small animal. The occupants said they had an issue with raccoons in the attic a couple years ago, and the light switch connected to these wires had never been used until this evening.