Officials: Space heater cause Chesterfield house fire displacing adult, 3 dogs

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield firefighters have shared that a space heater caused a house fire along Sheffield Avenue on Thursday that displaced an adult and three dogs.

In the morning on Friday, Jan. 30, Chesterfield Fire and EMS announced on social media that the house fire in the 20200 block of Sheffield Place was determined to have been caused by a space heater.

Officials said fire investigators determined the heater was too close to combustibles and was plugged into an extension cord rather than straight into the outlet.

(Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)

(Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)

(Credit: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)

(Credit: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)

(Credit: Chesterfield Fire & EMS)

Firefighters reminded residents who may be using a space heater during cold temperatures to ensure that they are at least three feet away from anything that can burn.

"Space heaters also draw a large amount of power, so please make sure they are plugged directly into the wall, never into an extension cord or power strip," officials said in the post.

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS said residents should always turn off space heaters before going to bed or leaving the room.

"If you use a space heater to stay warm, please do so safely and responsibly," officials said, in part, in the post.

This comes after crews responded to a call for a house fire at 9:14 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29.

When the first firefighters arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from several sides of the home and a fire blazing inside.

Crews were able to get the fire under control in 15 minutes, according to authorities. There were no injuries, but officials said one adult and three dogs were displaced.