‘Careless’ smoking, medical oxygen tank caused northeast El Paso house fire, investigators say
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Fire Marshal Investigators have determined that Thursday's house fire in northeast El Paso was caused by careless smoking. Investigators say that a medical oxygen tank caused an oxygen-enriched environment in one of the bedrooms, and that contributed to the fire as well.
The El Paso Fire Department released the following statement about the investigation:
"At approximately 10:01 a.m., El Paso Fire Department crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 10400 block of Aphrodite Drive. Fire Marshal Investigators were assigned to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Investigators concluded that the fire originated in a bedroom within the residence. As a result of the fire, three individuals sustained injuries; two were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while one individual declined medical transport. The occupants were alerted of the fire by functioning smoke alarms within the home. The cause of the fire was determined to be the unintentional ignition of common combustibles due to careless smoking, with a contributing factor being an oxygen-enriched environment from a medical oxygen tank.
The El Paso Fire Marshal’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the importance of regularly testing smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning properly. Additionally, individuals are urged to use extreme caution when smoking, especially in the presence of medical oxygen or other combustible materials, as such environments significantly increase the risk of fire."
ORIGINAL STORY (July 31, 2025): One person was seriously injured in a house fire on the 10400 block of Aphrodite Drive in the northeast. Emergency crews also rushed a second person to the hospital with minor injuries, first responders say. A third person was injured but refused transport to the hospital.
A spokesperson for the El Paso Fire Department says the fire was classified as minor. The call came in at 10:01 AM today. The fire has since been put out, officials say.
Details are limited at this time.
