MEC&F Expert Engineers : A WATER HEATER IGNITED SPRAY PAINT FUMES FROM A CRAFT PROJECT IN AN UNVENTILATED AREA OF A HOME IN FRANKLIN, WI, LEADING TO AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE THAT INJURED A WOMAN AND CAUSED MORE THAN $100,000 IN DAMAGE

Sunday, March 8, 2015

A WATER HEATER IGNITED SPRAY PAINT FUMES FROM A CRAFT PROJECT IN AN UNVENTILATED AREA OF A HOME IN FRANKLIN, WI, LEADING TO AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE THAT INJURED A WOMAN AND CAUSED MORE THAN $100,000 IN DAMAGE




MARCH 5, 2015

FRANKLIN, WISCONSIN

Franklin Fire Department responded to a house fire near the intersection of S. 122nd Street and W. Elmwood Drive around 3:44 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, March 5th.

A water heater is suspected of igniting spray paint fumes from a craft project for her daughter’s birthday in a home in Franklin on Thursday, leading to an explosion and fire that injured a woman and caused more than $100,000 in damage, fire department officials said.

The fire, reported shortly after 4 p.m. in the 12100 block of Elmwood Road, also singed the hair of the woman's two daughters, ages 5 and 8, according to a news release from the Franklin Fire Department.

According to the release, the 45-year-old woman, who was using the spray paint in an enclosed area of the home's basement, suffered minor burns to her hands.

Her 16-year-old son who was upstairs escaped injury and no one was taken to a hospital.

Because there are no fire hydrants in the area, firefighters from Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Oak Creek, Raymond, New Berlin, Tess Corners and the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing had to use water tankers to battle the blaze, according to the release.

Everytime you use aerosol canisters, please use them in a well-ventilated area and away from any fire or source of ignition, including the pilot lights of the water heaters, etc.