A Henryetta man escaped being seriously injured in a house fire around 8 Monday night.
pearson fireSteve Pearson was home at the time a fire was discovered burning through the ceiling of his house on East Trudgeon.
According to fire chief David Bullard, the fire apparently started above a heater and flames rose into the attic. The fire burned undetected for some time, eating through the roof rafters then broke through the ceiling.
The fire was contained to the house and extinguished before it could spread throughout the living areas. Bullard said the home is a total loss.
Bullard went on to say this is a prime example why people need to check their heating units now that winter cold is arriving.
"Many of those heating units have been sitting around collecting debris and lint since last spring. That can clog the gas outlets and even ignite causing an unwanted fire."
He went on to say residents should make sure their blower doors are in place. Those doors ensure that combustion gasses produced by the heat system (especially carbon monoxide) exit the home safely.
"Carbon monoxide is called the 'silent killer' because it is undetectable by humans alone. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well," he added.
Above all, he urged, "Make sure that paper products, boxes, aerosols, and other flammable products are kept away from your furnace and water heater, especially if your furnace and water heater are kept in a small room."
Bullard also said every home should be equipped with both a smoke and carbon monoxide detector.