At approximately 8:00 AM today, Casper Fire-EMS was called to a structure fire in the 200 block of North Lowell Street. Dispatch information indicated several callers seeing smoke from a single family residence. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke from the attic area of the structure. Crews immediately began a fire attack and simultaneous search of the structure.
The fire was brought under control within minutes and the search revealed no one inside.The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire and was under renovation. There were no injuries as a result of the fire.A fire investigator for Casper Fire-EMS determined the cause of the fire to be accidental and the result of plumbing work that had been performed earlier.
The fire started in a wall and extended into the roof structure.The structure was moderately damaged by the fire with the most significant structural damage to the attic space. Initially, four engines and one truck responded along with the on duty Battalion Chief. Crews were assisted by Casper Police, Wyoming Medical Center, Rocky Mountain Power, Black Hills Energy and City of Casper Solid Waste.
This is the second fire CFEMS has recently responded to that was caused by plumbing work being performed. A watch should be maintained for several hours of areas where any combustibles have been exposed to open flame devices such as a butane torch. Always have some means of extinguishment such as an extinguisher or water available while work is being done. Only attempt to extinguish small fires and call 911 immediately
