Jan. 15--The cause of a fatal fire at a Northeast Austin duplex Monday morning was caused by a space heater that malfunctioned, according to fire officials. There were no smoke alarms in the house either, they said.
The fire was reported in the 7300 block of Tumbleweed Drive shortly before 8 a.m. Rescuers pulled a 73-year-old woman from the burning home and she was pronounced dead. The woman's husband and son also had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Her son was sent to the hospital and her husband was treated at the scene.
The Fire Department has deferred to the Travis County medical examiner's office to release the name of the woman.
After the heater malfunctioned, objects around it also caught fire, officials said. The blaze caused $60,000 in damage to the structure and contents. The Fire Department will be canvassing the neighborhood this week to install smoke alarms and test batteries.
Anyone who is need of a free smoke alarm can call 512-974-0299.
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