Flames consume an upper story bedroom of this home at 25 Shepard Road

Fire Sparked by Electric blanket

On the morning of January 4, Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department and Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance were dispatched to the Whalen residence at 25 Shepard Road for a report of a bedroom on fire. Upon arrival of the first fire units, heavy smoke and flames were shooting out of the second floor bedroom. The house, which is located across the street from the fire and ambulance headquarters, was saved due to the quick action by Norfolk fire fighters and the surrounding departments. Fire marshals determined that an electric blanket on the bed caused the fire that displaced the family, and was accidental in nature. One female resident was transported to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital for evaluation of smoke inhalation and was released later in the afternoon. Much of the front half of the house suffered severe smoke and fire damage while water damage was confined to several rooms on all 3 floors. The Norfolk Fire Department remained on the scene until early that evening to assist the fire investigators and then turned the scene over to a company that was hired to board up and secure the house.

Provided by the Norfolk Emergency Services PIO