Heating lamp causes early morning fire in Central El Paso

Fire crews responded to a fire in Central El Paso this morning.

The fire happened before 6:30 Sunday morning at a car port and shed in the backyard of a home on the 6100 block of Navajo Drive.

When crews arrived, the car port and shed were in flames. Crews were able to bring the fire under control. Fire officials say the fire was accidental and was caused by a heat lamp was placed on top of a box full of blankets to provide warmth to a puppy.

There were no injuries reported, but the puppy died in the fire.

The El Paso Fire Department reminds the public to follow these safety tips when using space heaters in the home.

1. Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets or near bedding
or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammables.
2. Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a space heater close to any
sleeping person or pet.
3. Turn the space heater off if you leave the area. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
4. Have heaters inspected annually to ensure proper operation.
5. Have a smoke alarm with fresh batteries on each level of the house, inside every bedroom, and outside the bedrooms in each sleeping area. In addition, have a carbon monoxide alarm outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area.