Wed., January 6, 2010 3:01pm (EST)

Space Heater Fires On Rise

By Josephine Bennett

Updated: 3 years ago

MACON, Ga.  —   A spike in Middle Georgia house fires is likely because of below-normal temperatures. In just the past five days six Middle Georgia families have lost their homes to fire. In all cases, homeowners were trying to stay warm using space heaters.

The Red Cross' Ryan Logan says many people either don't have, or can't afford heat. He says they've seen a 200-percent surge in house fires this year.

"Some of the most critical cases, I mean, people are actually heating their homes with their stoves and so things like that is really kind of what we're seeing and I really believe it's just a result of the economy at this point."

Logan says the fires are affecting more people as well. Many families have consolidated and are now living under one roof.