Holiday decorations blamed in fire

Monday, December 3, 2007 7:05 PM CST

RACINE -- Two residents were treated for smoke inhalation after an accidental fire caused by a Christmas decoration was reported early Monday morning at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Lakeshore Manor, 1320 Wisconsin Ave.

Fire crews were called to the facility at 6:18 a.m.

Capt. Gary Green of the Fire department’s Fire Prevention Bureau said a small plastic Christmas tree had been placed on top of a wall heater in room 445. The tree apparently melted and ran into the heater unit before it ignited.

An employee extinguished the fire using a portable fire extinguisher. Residents of the floor were evacuated to another area of the building.

A 93-year-old resident of room 445 and a 94-year-old resident of room 446 were taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center for evaluation after smoke inhalation. No fire damage to the room occurred; possibly only to heater.

"This fire occurred because one of the primary rules of fire prevention was violated," Green said. "Never put things that can burn close to things that get hot."

Green said the recognized rule of thumb is that there should be a minimum of three feet between combustibles and heating equipment like water heaters, kitchen stoves, wood burners and fireplaces.

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