Fire may have started at portable air conditioner.

SHREWSBURY— Improper ventilation of an air conditioner likely started a fire that significantly damaged a Bumblebee Circle home early yesterday morning.

Fire Chief Gerald F. LaFlamme said an occupant of the home at 130 Bumblebee Circle called 911 at 12:45 a.m. Chief LaFlamme said the man said he was awakened by the smell of smoke and subsequently found fire in one of the bedrooms.

“He said he had spent a little bit of time attempting to deal with it, but unfortunately it wasn’t long enough for the fire to get a head start,” the chief said. “When we arrived, the fire was emitting out of both windows of the bedroom.”

Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within about five minutes. Fire damage was confined to a quarter of the house; however, the entire ranch home sustained smoke and heat damage in excess of $100,000. A spokesperson with the assessor’s office said the home is owned by Carol J. Lucchese and has an assessed value of $300,900.

Chief LaFlamme said a preliminary investigation indicates the fire started at or around a portable air-conditioning unit.

“Those units produce a very large amount of heat when creating the air conditioning. People should always remember to vent those to the exterior of the home,” said the chief. He said air conditioners do not have to be placed in a window, but all air conditioners, including standalone units, must vent the exhaust hose to the exterior.

Approximately 20 Shrewsbury firefighters were at the fire. Northboro Fire Department provided mutual aid with coverage for the station during the fire.

A fire broke out at 130 Bumblebee Circle early yesterday. A preliminary investigation points to an improperly vented air conditioner as the probably cause of the blaze. No one was injured. (T&G Staff/CHRISTINE PETERSON)

Copyright 2006 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Tuesday, July 04, 2007

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