NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) — As temperatures continue to drop, the Newport News Fire Department is reminding people to be careful when using portable space heaters.
One such heater is believed to have been the cause of a fire that destroyed a house on Williams Street Wednesday morning, near Chestnut Avenue and 28th Street.
Firefighters were able to get the flames under control by around 6 a.m., but the home is a total loss. No one was hurt.
An investigation by the Fire Marshal determined a space heater had overturned and caught fire. In a tweet, the fire department said that as a reminder, "keep a minimum three [foot] radius clear around portable heaters, as well as ensure they have power interrupters in case they fall over.