Texas Homeowner-Installed Stove Causes Issues

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Nov. 17--Cleburne firefighters responded to a report of a high-efficiency light bulb bursting and causing an odor in the home at 6:55 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Cleveland Street. The homeowners, who were on the porch when firefighters arrived, led the way to the kitchen where the light in question is located.

The homeowner told firefighters that the electric stove went off and tripped a breaker earlier after his wife turned it on. A few minutes later she heard a pop and saw a blue flash from the light fixture in the ceiling.

The woman told firefighters she exited the house because she thought the bulbs were high efficiency and might put off toxic gas. Firefighters checked the fixture with a good bulb, which seemed to work fine and turned the breaker to the stove back on.

The homeowner said he installed the stove recently and wired the power cord himself. Firefighters advised him to turn the breaker to the stove back off until an electrician could check it out. Firefighters checked the attic for signs of smoke, odor or fire. Finding none, they cleared the scene.

Firefighters responded to a report of smoke at 6:02 p.m. the same day in the 1400 block of Smoothe Stone Drive. They arrived to find the home filled with smoke. Occupants informed them there was no fire but that a pot of beans boiled dry on the stove and filled the residence with smoke.

Firefighters set fans to clear the smoke. They also monitored the residence for carbon monoxide. The initial reading registered 12 ppm and increased to 20 ppm on subsequent reading. Firefighters set additional fans and remained on scene until the CO reading registered zero.