Water Avenue Home Fire (Photo) - 01/13/26

Today at 9:27 a.m., Albany Fire Department responded to a home on Water Avenue NE with reports of fire.  Crews located fire burning on the exterior and interior of a single-story home.  The sole occupant of the house was not home at the time of the fire.  AFD personnel extinguished the fire by 9:57 a.m. with no injuries to firefighters.

After investigating the cause and origin, crews determined two individuals were sleeping in a tent on a neighboring property.  A propane heater was being used for warmth.  The heater caused the tent, tarps and exterior of the neighbor’s home to ignite.  The occupants of the tent had minor injuries and refused transport to a medical facility.

Space heaters and heating stoves account for nearly half of heating equipment fires and seven out of ten deaths caused by heating equipment.  Heaters need at least 3 feet of space, away from anything that can burn.  Equipment that uses propane should never be used indoors or in confined spaces due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.  For more home fire safety tips, visit Albany Fire Department