Devastating fire starts at tree

Four are able to get out of Tampa home as blaze spreads quickly.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 24, 2007

Joseph Wakefield, III, picks through the charred remains of his parents' home on Bitter Orange Avenue in Tampa Sunday morning. The fire originated in an area near the family's Christmas tree according to fire officials and quickly engulfed the home.
	[Stephen J. Coddington | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Stephen J Coddington | Times] Joseph Wakefield, Jr., talks about the fire which engulfed his home Sunday morning. "If it had taken us just a few minutes longer to realize what was going on, we would have never gotten out of there," said Wakefield, 61.

TAMPA - Always the first one awake, Joseph Wakefield Jr. got up Sunday and realized the circuit breaker had tripped in his Citrus Park home overnight.

He went into the garage about 7 a.m., flipped a switch and restored power to the living room, including the lights on an artificial Christmas tree.

Within one minute, flames and smoke were spilling out of the electrical outlet that powered the tree.

Within two minutes, the smoke alarm was chirping, walls were burning and Wakefield's wife, Bonnie, his 16-year-old granddaughter and her friend were escaping through doors and windows.

Within five minutes, the entire house at 5825 Bitter Orange Avenue was engulfed in flames.

"If it had taken us just a few minutes longer to realize what was going on, we would have never gotten out of there," said Wakefield, 61.

No one was seriously injured in the fire, though all four in the home were treated at St. Joseph's Hospital for smoke inhalation.

Even the family cat was unharmed; she went missing after the fire but returned late Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the fire still was under investigation Sunday evening, but Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bruce Delk said all evidence pointed to the area surrounding the tree.

"It's the first one in this area this year that we can attribute to holiday lights," Delk said.

He said fires sparked by holiday lights often spread fast.

"The best thing to do is to get out and stay out," he said.

Alina Wakefield, 16, was sleeping overnight at her grandparents' with her friend, Kara Deutler, when the smoke alarm woke them. She began to open the bedroom door, but the doorknob was too hot to touch and she saw smoke near her feet. The two girls got out through the window.

Once everyone was out, Joseph tried to spray the fire with a garden hose, which did nothing, he said. Fire rescue arrived with eight vehicles and 24 workers and the fire was out within an hour.

After the Wakefields and Deutler left the hospital, they returned to the home to sort through the damage.

The floors were covered in mud and blackened bits of clocks, books and furniture were barely recognizable. Bits of wrapping paper clung to melted and warped Christmas presents. The wires from the tree were curled and twisted on the floor.

"I lost everything," Alina Wakefield said. "I lost my cell phone. My name plate (necklace) I was supposed to get for Christmas is probably melted."

Joseph Wakefield said the home is insured and he will likely do a lot of the cleanup himself, since he owns a disaster demolition business. He and his wife will likely stay with his son and daughter-in-law, who live in the neighborhood. He recently bought a boat as a gift for himself and his son, but the keys and manual were burned in the fire.

"I was actually having a fairly good Christmas up until now," he said. "But everybody got out of the house, so I guess that's the best Christmas gift of all."

Anyone interested in helping the Wakefields can contact the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross at (813) 348-4820 or the Mandarin Lakes Homeowners Association at (813) 601-6989.

Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3431.

Fast facts

Avoidingholiday fires

According to the United States Fire Administration, fires caused by candles increase fourfold during the holidays. Each year, 200 house fires occur where Christmas trees are the initial source of ignition.

Here are some tips to avoid a fire during the holidays:

- Regularly check and maintain holiday lights, and avoid overloading electrical outlets.

- Use only nonflammable decorations that are placed away from heat vents. If using an artificial tree, make sure it's flame-retardant.

- Avoid using candles.

- Select a fresh Christmas tree and keep it in water at all times. Needles on fresh trees should be green and should not fall off easily.

- Make a fire safety plan and escape route for the home, and practice it at least once.

Source: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Last modified December 23, 2007, 20:47:03]