RECENT FIRES CONSIDERED COINCIDENCES

A large number of structure fires since December is more coincidence than a cause for suspicion, Cape Girardeau's fire inspector said.

The five structure fires that have occurred over three weeks in Cape Girardeau were the result of carelessness, not criminal activity, said Ray Warner, fire inspector.

"Actually because of the light winter, we haven't had as many fires this season," he said.

Investigations have shown all of the fires involved misuse of heaters, lighters or kitchen appliances, he said.

A fire on Saturday at 607 Minnesota St. was caused by a man improperly filling a kerosene heater.

"Then he pulled it across the basement, spilling fuel and spreading the fire," Warner said.

A fire late Sunday afternoon at 801 Beaudean Lane resulted from a two-year-old child playing with a lighter in a closet full of clothes, he said.

Other fires resulted from turning on stoves and forgetting to shut them off.

The exact cause of a fire at 2419 Horseshoe Ridge is the only recent structure fire that remains under investigation, but Warner does not view it as suspicious.

"Often insurance companies want to send out their own investigators even though we give them reports," he said. "Ultimately it means the homeowner gets his claim processed faster."

The cause of a fire that destroyed a house at 3333 Old Toll Rd. just outside of Jackson will remain undetermined, said Millersville Fire Chief Rich Jones. The damage to the house was so extensive that the state fire marshal was unable to find a clear cause, Jones said.

Jackson Fire Chief Brad Golden said his department handles more fire calls related to furnaces and portable heaters early in the fall.

"When the temperature first starts to drop and people start firing up their furnaces, we'll get reports of smoke smells," Golden said.

Portable heaters are not a fire hazard as long as common sense is used.

"The biggest problem is many people don't read the directions," he said.

Golden advises those who use portable heaters to observe the following safety rules:

* Place combustible items at a distance

* Operate fuel-powered heaters in well ventilated areas

* Keep small children away to prevent burns

* Avoid plugging in a large wattage heater with small electrical cords

* Use heaters only when someone remains in the same room