Two Fires Across the Street from Each Other; BFD Fire Marshal

Burlington firefighters were called to two fires across the street from each other yesterday(Mon).

The first one…at 1304 South Central yesterday morning…was in the ceiling above the kitchen and Fire Marshal Mark Crooks now estimates the damage at $17,000…12,000 to the house and 5,000 to its contents. He says the cause was likely overloaded electrical wires. Owners Karen and Clint West were home at the time, but got out safely. The property is insured and the Red Cross was called in to help out. A crew was called back to the scene about 10 minutes after it left, when some insulation in the ceiling began to smolder.

Last(Mon) evening…shortly after 5:15…Burlington and West Burlington firefighters were dispatched to 1305 South Central…across the street…when a second floor bedroom caught fire. Amanda Schappaugh and her two children were home at the time and escaped without injury. Owner Don Chipman and the other renter…Jason Chappaugh…were not home at the time. The fire did extensive damage to the second floor and the cause is still being investigated. The house is not insured and the Red Cross was again called in to help the families with shelter and clothing. A crew remained on the scene for close to 3 1/2 hours.