GAS CAN SPILL IGNITES FIRE

Cape Girardeau firefighters said Sunday that an overturned can of gasoline, ignited by a natural gas water heater, caused extensive damage to the basement of a house at 1006 N. Frederick Saturday night.

Authorities said the fire occurred when one of the residents of the house accidentally overturned the can of gasoline while attempting to get a garden hose out of the basement. The vapors from the spilled gas were ignited by the water heater's pilot light at about 8:28 p.m.

When firefighters from Fire Stations Three and One arrived, flames and smoke were coming from the basement of the two-story, wood frame house.

Officials said fire damage, estimated at about $2,000, was confined to the basement. There was heat and smoke damage to the basement, and some smoke damage to the main floor of the structure. No smoke damage was reported to the second floor.

There were no injuries.

The house is owned by Bill Penrod. The first floor tenants are Pat and Wayne Hale.

A spokesman for the fire department said the fire was a good example of why gasoline in any container should never be stored inside a house or other structure where there is an open flame or possibility of sparks from electricity.