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Students come home to flames, smoke damage |
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Thursday, 17 January 2008 |
 Caution tape blocks the entrance to a first floor apartment at the Steeplechase apartment complex on Straight Street. A stove burner left on caused the December 30, 2007 fire that caused smoke damage to connected apartments. Photo by Derek DeSha
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by ERICA DURHAM
News Reporter
The Steeplechase apartment complex on Straight St. caught fire Dec. 30, 2007.
Jeremy R. Bagwell, a sophomore recreation management major, came home to find his apartment in flames.
“I had gone out for about an hour and came home at about 11 p.m.,” Bagwell said. “When I opened the
door I could hear my smoke detector going off and black smoke was pouring out of the door.”
The Boone Fire Department arrived on the scene about fifteen minutes after Bagwell called 911.
The fire was caused after the stove was left on and a box fell on top of the burner, Bagwell said.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, one of the top ten reasons for a fire is cooking
equipment.
Bagwell was the only one to suffer any injuries.
 Photo by Derek DeSha
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“I spent four hours on a respirator due to smoke inhalation and getting glass taken out of my foot,”
Bagwell said.
Damages to the apartment complex total about $50,000.
“The two apartments above mine had smoke damage. My kitchen and living room were destroyed and
the two bedrooms had heat and smoke damage. It was so hot that my computer was messed up, too,”
Bagwell said.
The damages will be covered by his parent’s homeowner’s insurance.
“My parents signed the lease so their homeowner’s insurance will cover all liability,” Bagwell said.
Bagwell is currently staying at a local hotel until the apartment is available in 4 weeks.
Chief Reginald Hassler of the Boone Fire Department said being a little more careful could have
prevented this fire.
“You cannot leave things unattended on stoves,” Hassler said. “Other ways to prevent fires is to make
sure you have a working smoke detector. Be cautious of what you are doing on a stove and don’t put
stuff up against electric baseboard heaters.”
Bagwell advises that students get renter’s insurance.
“It can help if you or your family lose all of their stuff. And have a fire extinguisher,” Bagwell said.
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