FEBRUARY 14, 2015
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)
Norfolk firefighters found an 8-month-old boy dead inside a
burning home on Little Bay Avenue on Willoughby Spit early Saturday morning.
Battalion Chief Julian Williamson says dispatchers received
the call just after 6 a.m., and responding units arrived at the duplex five
minutes later.
Fire officials tell WAVY.com the young boy’s mother
attempted to go back in the home to rescue her son but strong flames and heavy
smoke prevented her from entering. Three people were inside the home when the
fire started. The two adults made it out safely without injuries.
The child died by the time firefighters reached him in
his bedroom, according to Williamson.
“We could see the fire over the trees, not just the smoke,”
said Cindy Fann, who lives more than a block away. “I can’t even imagine losing
a child or a baby.”
Firefighters worked in below-freezing temperatures and
managed to get the fire under control in 40 minutes. Fire investigators
remained on scene for more than 10 hours Saturday.
Charred remains surrounded the home Saturday night. The heat
of the flames melted off some of the siding on an apartment complex next door.
“I know the guy that lives next to us across the way said
the condo shook whenever the flames started this morning,” said Paul Pearson,
who was away from his unit when the fire started.
“We do know there were multiple space heaters being utilized
inside the home, but we’re looking at all possible causes of this fire,” said
Williamson.
Late Saturday night fire investigators still had not
determined an official cause of the fire.
We provide the following safety tips for using
space heaters:
Electrical Space Heaters Safety Tips
- Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heating source and any combustibles
- Do not keep or store combustibles materials in closed areas or near a heat source
- Never leave a heater on when you go to sleep, and never leave children or pets unattended near heating sources
- Only use heaters that have been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories.
- Be careful not to overload any electrical circuits