Dimmitt VFD answers call to house fire

Local first responders answered a 911 call reporting a house fire this past Friday evening at South Broadway and West Grant St. in Dimmitt.

According to reports, the mobile home fire was likely caused by a space heater; the incident was ruled accidental. All residents of the home got out safely and no one was injured.

Responding units included the Castro County Sheriff's Office, Dimmitt Police De partment, Dimmitt Fire Department, EMS and Xcel Energy.

Sheriff Sal Rivera urges all residents using space heaters to exercise extreme caution. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters cause about 1,700 fires a year and are the culprits in 81% of fatal house fires cause by heat.

Keep heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people; choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection; place heater on a solid flat surface; and make sure the heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over. Above all – the best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended and turn it off when going to bed.