Nine escape in laptop fire

By Lia Bichel
NINE people escaped a house fire started by an overheated laptop in Dandenong last week.
At about 4.15am on 20 January, fire-fighters were called to a residence on Ray Street.
Dandenong Fire officer Daryl Owen said it took 10 fire-fighters about 15 minutes to control the blaze, contained to the lounge room.
The fire was ignited by an over-heated laptop which was left to charge on the couch, which Mr Owen said was common.
“We advise people to turn off and disconnect their appliances. They can overheat- especially when there is no supervision,” he said.
“They are lucky their smoke alarm operated. We tell people to double check their smoke alarms work. In this case, it saved the lives of the occupants.”
Mr Owen said the damage was estimated at $80,000 to $90,000 and one resident suffered burns to the hand.