Winter Fire Warning After Dallas Condo Blaze
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The chilly temperatures early Tuesday morning may be partially to blame for a fire at a Dallas condominium. It all started at around 8:00 a.m. in the 7500 block of Holly Hill Drive, not far from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
When firefighters first arrived at the scene, smoke was pouring out of the eves. Crews quickly got inside to fight the flames and extinguish the blaze. According to authorities, the wood around the chimney was burning, leading firefighters to believe that a resident tried to start a fire in the fireplace in the cold morning hours.
It is unclear at this point if the chimney was blocked, if the flue was closed or if the tenant simply overloaded the fireplace with wood.
Firefighters said that, at this time of the year, it is important to be careful when using a fireplace at the beginning of the season when it has not been in use for a long period of time. "Ask your condo manager or association to check," Deputy Chief Michael Price with Dallas Fire-Rescue said. "Don't overload fireplaces not designed to have wood. Many are meant to be decorative. If not venting properly, put the fire out and have someone help you check it out."
Four condos were burned and two others suffered water damage. About a dozen people are now without homes just before the Thanksgiving holiday, but everyone was able to escape the flames without injury. The American Red Cross and other residents at the condominium are trying to help those who have been displaced.
