Madison Fire Likely Caused by Misused Extension Cord

Posted on Monday, October 8, 2007

Around 6:40 on Friday evening the Madison Fire Department was called to a fire at 227 South Josephine Avenue. A fire, which started in the living room, is believed to have been caused by an extension cord that was being used to power the homes air conditioning unit. According to Madison Fire Chief Jerry Johnson, the cord was too light of duty for the electrical draw it was being used for. Even though the air conditioner had not been running that day, Johnson says the deteriorated insulation on the cord combined with it being too light of duty for its use likely caused the fire from sparking and arching of the wires of the cord. Johnson says clothes piled on top of the cord could have also sped up the progression of the fire. Johnson estimated that a couple thousand dollars worth of damage had been done to the home’s living room.