Fort Lauderdale, FL
A three-year-old playing with a lighter caused a fire in a Fort Lauderdale home on Monday.
The single-family house, at 1212 NW 11th Place, was ruled “a total loss” by firefighters who put out a fire a few minutes after they were called about 4 p.m., Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan said.
The three-year-old, who was standing outside the house with a seven-year-old and their father, told firefighters he lit a paper on fire and accidentally dropped it on a bed, causing the fire to spread.
No one was hurt, but the children and their father were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, Gollan said.
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Firefighters had difficulty getting to the flames because the house had hurricane shutters up and was cluttered with miscellaneous furniture and items, Gollan said.
“Always get your hurricane shutters down when they aren’t needed,” he advised homeowners.
The family, which was displaced, is being assisted by American Red Cross, Gollan said. The children will be required to attend a fire-starter educational program.