Firefighters Respond to Fire Alarm Finding Resident Using Oven to Heat Apartment

On Tuesday, November 18th at 3:45AM City of Madison Firefighters on Tower Ladder 8 were dispatched to a fire alarm investigation on the 700 block of Rethke Avenue. The crew went to the 3rd floor of the 60-unit apartment complex and found a tenant was using the oven as a heat source because he was cold. The tenant said he fell asleep and was alerted when the fire alarm activated.

Firefighters ventilated the apartment, disconnected the oven and turned off the breaker. The tenant was told to contact building maintenance and to have the oven replaced after a crew member noticed the interior oven window was broken and unsafe to operate.

Using a stove or oven, whether electric or gas, or any other way of heating the home that is not meant for that purpose is dangerous and could result in fatal consequences.

The National Fire Protection Association safety tips:

Heating Safety

Electric Portable Space Heaters