Overloaded outlet ignites fire inside garage at home in Hurricane

HURRICANE, Utah (ABC4) — A home in Hurricane was damaged after a fire torched the house’s garage Wednesday evening.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m., fire crews were dispatched to a structure fire near 2440 South and 439i0 West in Hurricane. Firefighters with Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue arrived to find heavy black smoke coming from an open garage door at the front of the house.

Late-night fire damages Hurricane home Wednesday. (Courtesy//Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue)

Crews were able to contain fire quickly limiting most of the damage to the garage. Firefighters say only smoke damage reached the rest of the home.

According to fire crews, the blaze was caused by an overloaded outlet. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Seven units responded to the scene along with officers from the Hurricane City Police Department.

The U.S. Fire Administration says preventing electrical fires can be done by following some simple procedures including:

• Avoiding overloaded wall outlets.
• Inserting plugs fully into sockets.
• Never forcing a three-prong cord into a two-slot outlet.
• Installing tamper-resistant electrical outlets in the case of young children.

Replacing worn or damaged extension cords can also be beneficial in preventing electrical fires inside of homes.