Glitchy Waterbed Heating Element Sparks 1-Alarm Blaze At Campbell Condo
CAMPBELL (CBS SF) -- A malfunctioning heating element in a waterbed led to a residential structure fire in Campbell Wednesday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Firefighters were dispatched at 8:44 a.m. to a one-alarm fire at 1901 La Corona Court involving a waterbed on fire in an upstairs bedroom of a condo. Firefighters arrived on scene in less than 6 minutes and found the second floor of a two-story condo on fire.
Fire crews knocked down the fire by 9:02 a.m. and investigators determined the waterbed's malfunctioning heating element caused the fire.
A PG&E crew arrived to shut off the utilities, but they did not have the proper tool to remove the condo's electrical meter. The electrical panel had also been painted and bolted shut, which further delayed the crew's efforts to disconnect service, fire officials said.
Damage to the building was estimated at $200,000 and building officials red-tagged the condo, according to the fire department.
No injuries were reported.
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