Fire damages Ephrata home

EPHRATA — A box spring and mattress jammed against the plug of an extension cord in an Ephrata home ignited a blaze Friday morning, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Renters living in the home, Ryan and Morgan Black, were not there at the time of the fire, according to the Ephrata Fire Department. No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.

Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns said a neighbor spotted smoke coming from the rental home at 47 G Street S.E. about 9 a.m.

Firefighters from the City of Ephrata and Grant County Fire District 13 responded, arriving to find a single-story home with smoke pouring from a bedroom window on the east side of the wood-framed structure.

Burns said fire crews entered through the front door, conducted a fast attack, knocking out flames, limiting damage and saving the home.

Firefighters were on scene for about two hours.

The master bedroom received the brunt of fire and water damage. Dark smoke wreaked havoc on the remainder of the home, Burns said.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental, the fire chief said. The bed pressed against the plug of the extension cord caused a short-out in the wall socket, igniting the blaze. A damage estimate reached $20,000.

The property is managed by Les Parr Real Estate in Ephrata, and is insured.