Press releases

Smoking in bed causes Edina residential fire

Edina, Minn., Nov. 9, 2007 – An Edina resident fell asleep while smoking in bed, causing a basement fire.

The Edina Fire Department was called to the 5900 block of France Avenue South just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. The victim, who suffered minor burn injuries, was apparently smoking in bed and fell asleep. The victim attempted to extinguish the fire with water and then closed the door to the room to keep the fire from spreading. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. The fire was confined to a basement bedroom, but there was smoke damage throughout the house. The house is not habitable.

“We don’t recommend that our citizens fight their own fires unless they are small and can be handled by a fire extinguisher and you understand how the fire extinguisher works,” said Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “9-1-1 should be called before attempting to extinguish a fire. Closing the door to the room and escaping the house is the better choice. This person did close the door, preventing the fire from spreading.

“In Minnesota during 2006, eight people died in smoking-related fires -- fires that were totally preventable. Human behavior is the cause of these types of fires and human behavior has to change to prevent these fires from occurring that lead to injury and death. We are fortunate that this person was not severely injured or killed or the family members living in the house.”

Jenson pointed out that one tool in the fight to prevent this type of fire is a new law passed last year by the State Legislature. As of Jan. 1, 2009, all cigarettes sold in Minnesota must be fire resistive -- certified as “Reduced Ignition Propensity” cigarettes.

For more information on the Nov. 6 fire or fire prevention tips, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire. To read about fires Minnesota in 2006, visit the State Fire Marshal’s report at www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/mfirs/FireinMinnesota2006.pdf.