News Update
Christmas tree causes fatal Plano house fire (updated 11:40 p.m.)
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com, @Bill_PlanoStar on Twitter
Editor's note: This story was originally published at 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 24
A dry Christmas tree caused a house fire that killed an 87-year-old male Monday evening in Plano.
Plano firefighters responded to the call in the 2500 block of Parkhaven Drive at around 7:20 p.m. The caller told the dispatcher that the "whole home was on fire," a release from Plano FD said.
While four people inside the house were able to escape, firefighters were alerted on their way to the house that the elderly man was still inside, said Capt. Peggy Harrell, Plano FD spokeswoman.
"When they arrived they found quite a bit of smoke in the front of the house and a lot of fire at the back," Harrell said. "They made entry at the front of the house and located the deceased individual."
Harrell said one Plano firefighter suffered non-life threatening burns and was transported to Medical Center of Plano for treatment.
The identity of the victim has not been released, but Plano FD officials confirmed he was visiting his family for Christmas. His son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were present at the time of the fire.
The fire department press release said family members told investigators they heard a pop before seeing the Christmas tree ignite, and said the tree was "dry and had been a concern." Officials have not yet said what caused the tree to catch fire.
A dry Christmas tree caused a house fire that killed an 87-year-old male Monday evening in Plano.
Plano firefighters responded to the call in the 2500 block of Parkhaven Drive at around 7:20 p.m. The caller told the dispatcher that the "whole home was on fire," a release from Plano FD said.
While four people inside the house were able to escape, firefighters were alerted on their way to the house that the elderly man was still inside, said Capt. Peggy Harrell, Plano FD spokeswoman.
"When they arrived they found quite a bit of smoke in the front of the house and a lot of fire at the back," Harrell said. "They made entry at the front of the house and located the deceased individual."
Harrell said one Plano firefighter suffered non-life threatening burns and was transported to Medical Center of Plano for treatment.
The identity of the victim has not been released, but Plano FD officials confirmed he was visiting his family for Christmas. His son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were present at the time of the fire.
The fire department press release said family members told investigators they heard a pop before seeing the Christmas tree ignite, and said the tree was "dry and had been a concern." Officials have not yet said what caused the tree to catch fire.
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