Fire blamed on maxed out extension cord

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Swift action helped stop a house fire from spreading in Mobile.

Firefighters responded to a home on West Avenue near Adler Avenue around noon.

The homeowner said she is thankful the smoke was spotted quickly.

Wanda Berryhill said she watched in disbelief as smoke billowed from her West Avenue home. 

Berryhill said, "All of my hard sweat and tears just gone. Everything I worked hard for and struggled to get is gone."

She said luckily she wasn't in there. Berryhill said she had called a friend and left moments before the blaze.

"She had just pulled up because I had been getting ready to go out to the flea market. I said stay right there, I'm going around the corner to drop off a cane to a lady friend of mine,” she said.

After the errand, Berryhill said she headed back to her home. When she turned the corner, she said she saw the fiery scene and was just thankful her friend was outside waiting.

"Smoke, I just saw smoke. She happened to be sitting here and saw the fire," Berryhil said.

If her friend hadn't arrived, Berryhill said she might not have known about the fire until it was too late.

As Firefighters doused the flames, Berryhill said she counted her blessings.

Officials said the fire started near the bed in the master bedroom and extended into the attic. 

Berryhill said it's an old house and she assumed the cause was electrical.

"All of the sockets were just two pronged, none of the sockets were three pronged. I had a fire a couple of years ago from surges that would come through and it started in the back," Berryhill said.

Fire investigators said they discovered an extension cord with several items plugged into it which overloaded the circuit.

Authorities also said the bed was sitting on top of the cord, crimping it.

Berryhill said she is hoping to salvage what she can, but is staying thankful it wasn't worse.

"I know the lord will provide for me," Berryhill said.

Investigators said the fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damage.

According to authorities, no one was hurt.

Safety Tips:

• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.
• In homes with small children, unused wall sockets and extension-cord receptacles should have plastic safety covers.
• Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
• If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by an electrician.
• When possible, avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.