OKEECHOBEE -- At 10:44 a.m. on Feb. 27, Okeechobee County Fire Rescue responded to a reported residential fire alarm at 3144 NW Third Street in DeBerry Gardens. The first units to arrive found no visible signs of fire from the exterior of the one story concrete block residential structure. However, upon open the front door of the residence they encountered smoke and heat conditions.



Crews advanced a hose line into the structure and found a small fire in the kitchen near the stove. The fire was quickly extinguished using less the 20 gallons of water. The fire was contained to the area of the stove with some smoke damage in other areas of the home.

The preliminary investigation indicates the cause maybe from unattended cooking on the stove. The home was equipped with working fire alarm system that upon activation the alarm monitoring company called 911. The Red Cross was called to the scene and is assisting the residents with any needs.

Okeechobee County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Ralph Franklin says “that without the early earning received from the fire alarm system damage to the residence would have been more extensive”.

SAFETY MESSAGE: Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended.

For more information, contact Okeechobee County Fire Rescue at 763-5544 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.