State Fire Marshall (SFM) Report – Around 1:30am on Tuesday, October 26th, the Jonesboro Fire Department responded to a call at a home located inthe 1200 block of Cox Street. First Responders arrived to find the body of a man, who later was identified as John Newman III, in the living room of the home.
Following an assessment of the scene, deputies determined the fire began in the utility room area around the home”s breaker box. While an exact cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time, an electrical malfunction within the home’s aged wiring system is suspected.
Deputies have been unable to determine if the victim had been experiencing any electrical issues that may have alerted him to any impending fire danger. However, generally, there are several signs including blown fuses, and flickering lights that can usually provide residents with warnings about electrical trouble. If these occur it is recommended to disconnect power from the troubled area of the home, contact a licensed electrician to evaluate the situation and make any neeed repairs.
It is also recommended , especially in older homes, that an electrical safety certificate inspection be conducted on a home’s system every ten years. In addition it is recommneded to have a smoke alarm and/or sprinkler system installed to provide an alert in the event of a fire and help to safely escape, limiting the threat to life and property.
The SFM’s Operation Save-A-Life partners with local fire departments to install smoke alarms for free for families that need them. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, or to register for a smoke alarm installation, click here: lasfm.org.
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