Faulty appliance blamed for E. Streicher St. blaze

11/2/2005

A faulty kitchen appliance caused about $25,000 damage yesterday to a rental house at 350 East Streicher St., authorities said.

The blaze started about 3 p.m. from either a microwave oven or toaster that were plugged into the same electrical outlet and placed on top of a clothes dryer in the kitchen of the home, authorities said.

Nobody was home at the time, but an occupant said she used both appliances earlier in the day. The fire spread up the wall and into the attic that had been converted into a bedroom. The rest of the two-bedroom home had smoke and heat damage, authorities said.

The American Red Cross was assisting the home s six residents with temporary housing.