An overloaded electrical outlet is believed to be the cause of a house fire Tuesday evening, July 12, in Brownwood.  The Brownwood Fire Department received the call at 6:33 pm to 2005 Belmeade Street.  According to Brownwood Fire Chief, Eric Hicks, there was no one at home at the time but a family pet, a cat, perished in the fire.

“The fire was not suspicious but was an overloaded electrical outlet with an air conditioner plugged into it,” Hicks said.  He also noted that the fire department responded to a small fire over the weekend with a similar cause.

“With extreme heat, keep an eye on your electrical systems, how your AC’s are plugged in.  We’ve had a rash of fires lately,” Hicks said.

Damage done to the residence on Belmeade is estimated at $95,000, Hicks said.  The Red Cross was called to assist the two residents who live there.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the residents at THIS LINK.

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