Child Started S. Side Fire

A Monday evening fire at 1305 South Central Avenue in Burlington has been ruled “accidental,” the result of a child playing with a cigarette lighter.

The blaze broke out in a second floor bedroom and resulted in $35,000 damage to the house and its contents from flames, smoke and water. Amanda Schappaugh and her two children were home at the time and got out safely. Amanda’s husband Jason and the home’s owner…Don Chipman…were not there when the fire started.

Burlington & West Burlington firefighters spent more than three hours at the house, which was not insured and had no working smoke detectors. The Red Cross is helping the residents with their housing & clothing needs.