Overloaded electrical adapter caused fatal fire; smoke detectors didn’t work

Two people were killed in a house fire early Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 in the 1800 block of South Center Blvd. The Springfield Fire & Rescue Division arrived to find the front of the house fully engulfed in flames. As the firefighters tried to make entry into the house, one of the firefighters legs went through the floor so they had to attack the fire from the outside. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Two people were killed in a house fire early Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 in the 1800 block of South Center Blvd. The Springfield Fire & Rescue Division arrived to find the front of the house fully engulfed in flames. As the firefighters tried to make entry into the house, one of the firefighters legs went through the floor so they had to attack the fire from the outside. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

A Springfield house fire that killed two people in December was caused by an overloaded electrical adapter in the basement, the Springfield Fire Division said late Thursday.

Investigators determined that the fire, which took place Dec. 14, 2024 in the 1800 block of Center Boulevard, originated with a multi-plug adapter in the basement. A statement from Chief Jacob King said the adapter was connected to multiple devices and extension cords, which created a hazardous electrical load.

Springfield fire crews responded to the fire at around 5:07 a.m. after receiving a report of people trapped inside the two-story home, King said.

Fire Rescue Division officials said the first floor was entirely in flames, and the fire spread quickly, made worse by several medical oxygen cylinders in the house that ruptured in the heat.

King said that the man who died was located in the back area of the home and was unable to be resuscitated. The woman who died was only found after the fire was contained.

Additional people staying in the basement were able to escape before first responders arrived, and the fire was brought under control within an hour.

Fire officials said Thursday that there were smoke detectors in the home, but they “were not functioning at the time of the fire, contributing to the delayed awareness of the incident by the occupants.”

The Fire Division reminded residents of the “critical importance” of having working smoke detectors on every level of a home and testing them monthly. The also cautioned against overloading electrical outlets and daisy-chaining extension cords.

For more information or fire safety tips, residents can contact the Springfield Fire Rescue Division at (937) 324-7605.

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