Fatal Allison Lane fire attributed to pinned extension cord

Jan. 11--JEFFERSONVILLE -- Investigators say they've determined the precise cause of a fire that killed one man in his Allison Lane home one week ago.

The Jeffersonville Fire Department responded to a home in the 500 block of Allison Lane just after 5:15 a.m. on Jan. 4. Firefighters searched for occupants and pulled 83-year-old Reynolds Deaton out through a bedroom window. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Responders later found a deceased dog in the basement.

JFD Sgt. Justin Ames previously said the fire originated in the basement and was likely caused by an electrical issue. By Friday, investigators had determined the details of that issue. A space heater located in the basement was plugged into the wall with an extension cord, which was pinned beneath a couch leg and had begun to fray.

Ames said the couch caught fire and spread from there. It's unknown whether the one-story home had working smoking detectors.

Rarely can fire investigators pinpoint the cause of a fire, and the Allison Lane home presented particular challenges. Firefighters were initially unable to spend much time inside the home due to unstable floors, and the basement was flooded with two feet of water.

But when fire investigators later went inside the home with an insurance representative, they were able to inspect the basement and ultimately determine the cause of the fire.

Ames wants to remind people to use caution when using space heaters and extension cords. The department and most manufacturers of space heaters warn against using extension cords at all. When using such a cord with any appliance, it should match or exceed the power needs of the appliance, Ames said. And space heaters in particular should be treated like candles -- never leave them unattended.

It's just as important that electrical cords have proper ventilation. Ames said it's likely the cord in the Allison Lane fire had been pinned between the couch and the floor for a long time, maybe years.

Just over a week before the fatal fire, JFD responded to another fire caused by an electrical issue. Investigators have determined the Dec. 26 fire at Richard's Hood & Duct Cleaning on East 10th Street was caused by an old power strip with multiple battery packs plugged in. Ames suggests replacing power strips that show signs of discoloration or burn marks.

He hopes identifying the causes of both fires can help save lives and property.

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