By Trent Moore
The Cullman Times
VINEMONT — When Tiffany Phillips left to go grocery shopping Tuesday morning, she had no idea it would be the last time she saw her family home intact.
Phillips’ Vinemont home caught fire and was soon gutted by smoke and flames at approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Virtually all of her family’s possessions, including many of the clothes and toys belonging to her four children, were damaged beyond repair.
“Everything we own is gone,” she said. “We’re just trying to salvage what we can.”
The County Road 1354 home burned for nearly an hour until the Vinemont Volunteer Fire Department and Cullman Fire Department were able to subdue the blaze.
Vinemont Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Graves said the brunt of the damage was contained in the front area of the house in and around the living room.
“The structure wasn’t a total loss, but it seems like most of their belongings were damaged,” he said.
Graves said the fire was likely started by a faulty electric heater in the living room.
“That appears to be the cause,” he said.
Tiffany’s husband, Jeremy, said he was at work when he received word of the fire.
“I got a call from someone telling me my house was on fire,” he said. “It was almost out by the time I got here.”
The Cullman County Red Cross has stepped in to provide some temporary housing for the Phillips family in the interim.
“We’ll be able to put them up in a hotel and give them some care packages,” Red Cross Director Mike Bates said. “We’ll also be able to provide them some funds to buy a few clothes and take care of their food needs for the next few days while they get a plan together.”
With temperatures now beginning to drop, Cullman Fire Marshal Chris Chaffin said electric heaters can be a real fire hazard in the winter.
“The big thing about space heaters, especially electric heaters, is that you need to maintain a three foot distance from any combustibles,” he said. “So, don’t put it too close to things like bedding or furniture. You also need to be sure all safety guards are in place.”
Chaffin said it is also a good idea to purchase newer model heaters with internal switches that will turn the heater off if it tips over, as well check the label to make sure the heater has been UL tested.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
