On Tuesday, Jan. 16, at approximately 9:49 a.m., the Mexico Public Safety Department (MPSD) responded to the 800 block of West Monroe in reference to a structure fire. Responding personnel found fire under a house, and the fire had begun to spread in some interior walls. The fire was contained and extinguished in that area with the underneath and outside of the house suffering significant fire damage and the inside suffering some water damage. The residents stated they were attempting to thaw some pipes under the home with a portable, propane heater. They stepped away for a short amount of time and returned to find flammable material burning under the home.

On Sunday, Jan. 14,, MPSD responded to the 800 block of Morris in reference to a fire under a home. Responding personnel found that an electric heater, being used to thaw pipes, had caught fire. The burned material was removed from under the home and extinguished. It appeared the heater was pulling too much electricity through the extension cord. Other electric heaters were running in the home as well.

MPSD reminds residents that these extreme temperatures are hard on home water, sewer, electric, and heating systems. Care should be used when dealing with frozen pipes or using supplemental heating.

There were no injuries from these incidents.