WHITEHOUSE, Texas — Officials say a fire that killed a dog at a Whitehouse mobile home Wednesday started on the front porch, where a clamp-style heat lamp was being used for outdoor animals.
According to the report, the home was estimated to be 70 percent destroyed by the fire.
“When using a clamp-style heating lamp, always make sure it is securely attached and maintain at least 3 feet of clearance from anything that could burn,” Interim Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said.
Hogue said local fire departments responded to a call of a doublewide mobile home in the 16500 block of Lakeview Circle was on fire. Although no one was home at the time, one dog died in the fire.
Smith County realest fire safety tip for heating your home in the cold days ahead:
- Make sure Christmas trees and/or furniture are not blocking an exit.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time and never use an extension cord.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiator or space heaters.
- Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home.
- Be sure to have a properly mounted and functioning smoke alarm in every sleeping room and hallway of your home.
- Have at least 1 carbon monoxide detector in your home.