Space heater fire destroys home

Octavia Mitchell
Published: November 18, 2008

A Georgetown man is recovering from burns after a fire caused by a space heater destroyed his mobile home. With record cold temperatures expected, fire officials want to get the word out about space heater safety.

Assistant Fire Chief Bill Johnson tells News 2, 42-year-old Carleston Thompson Jr. was burned severely over 75-percent of his body.  He was transported to a burn center in Augusta, Ga. His son was also injured in the blaze on Dekalb street which started at around 5 a.m. Three others escaped without injury.

Assistant Chief Johnson says the fire started after combustibles were placed on top or near a space heater. With cold temperatures, he says he expects to see more heater related fires. Johnson says he wants to remind everyone to use extra precaution, and make sure heaters are at least three feet away from furniture, clothing, or anything flammable.

Thompson’s neighbor David Tompkins also uses a space heater to warm his home. He says he’s usually careful when it comes to using the heaters, but says he will take extra precaution now as a result of this fire.