Officials avert fire at Austin home

Published 10:54 am Monday, December 22, 2008

A house fire was averted Friday evening in southwest Austin.

The Austin Fire Department was sent to a residence in the 900 block of 15th Street Southwest near 8:30 p.m. Friday,

According to Fire Chief Dan Wilson, the home occupants were attempting to connect inflatable Christmas decorations to the home’s electrical system, when a fuse shorted.

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Firefighters arrived at the scene and crawled into the attic of the home where smoke was observed.

Cellulose insulation in the attic had started smoldering.

The insulation was removed from the attic of the home, and all other fire dangers squelched, according to the fire chief.

Damage estimates were place at $1,000. The home’s furnace and lights were able to be connected to the electrical system, and no on was evacuated.