Charcoal Thrown In Plastic Container Blamed For House Fire

Fire investigators tell ABC-7 used charcoal thrown away in a plastic container was the cause of a large house fire at 10474 Deepwood Court.

The blaze was reported at about 11:20 p.m. Monday. Upon arrival, fire crews saw smoke and flames coming from the carport area.

“I heard a popping, like a gun like a gun going off and then you could hear the crackling of the flames and the wood,” said Rosemary St. Lo, a neighbor of the family affected.

According to officials, it took firefighters 20 minutes to contain the fire. Two people were inside the home at the time, but they escaped safely after being alerted by neighbors.

Fire investigators tell ABC-7 the fire started in the resident’s trashcan underneath the carport. The fire quickly spread throughout the carport and extended into the home’s attic space. It damaged nearly 50 percent of the home, according to officials.

The fire also destroyed two cars underneath the carport and a neighbor’s storage shed. Crews were able to stop the fire before it could reach the entire home, but the home still suffered heavy smoke damage.

Damage is estimated at $150,000, according to fire officials.