Independence Fire-EMS respond to a vehicle fire that spread into a nearby home.
Firefighters were dispatched just before noon to a residence in the 1900 block of North 10th Street for a report of a vehicle fire close to a residence. When firefighters arrived, they found a vehicle and a riding lawn mower on fire, along with leaves and grass burning next to the home. Strong north winds pushed the fire into the residence, causing flames to extend from the exterior into the structure. The incident was upgraded to a working structure fire, and a second alarm was requested.
Firefighters made an interior attack, stopping the fire from spreading further inside the home, while additional crews extinguished the vehicle, mower and exterior fires. The fire remains under investigation, but officials say it is believed to have started due to an electrical malfunction involving a battery charger connected to the vehicle. Firefighters safely removed two parrots and a dog from the residence. IFD reminds residents to use caution when charging batteries and to keep charging equipment in good working condition and away from combustible materials.
