United Group Insurance

Atlantic Fire Dept battles stubborn mattress fire

News

August 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Fire Department responded to a reported residential fire Thursday, at around 8:40-p.m. Crews were called to 1307 1/2 Locust Street, and when they arrived, determined  a mattress in one of the apartments at that location, was on fire. They quickly extinguished the flames, pulled the mattress outside and began to ventilate the house. Medivac Ambulance also responded to the scene, but there were no injuries reported.

Not long after crews left the scene at around 9:06-p.m., they were called back, because the smoldering mattress rekindled, and began to start the dry grass on fire. The fire trucks were back in station by around 9:20-p.m.

Picture of the burned mattress courtesy Loretta Haskins.

Picture of the burned mattress courtesy Loretta Haskins.

According to Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees, the fire began with a carelessly discarded cigarette. A woman who was sleeping in the apartment was awoken by a neighbor and was able to escape. Damage to the apartment was described as minimal.