Tucson News: Halloween Fire Destroys Home on Northside, Kills Family Pets

Unattended Jack-O-Lantern Candle May Be to Blame for Tucson Blaze

Smoke filled the Halloween night sky in Tucson Saturday night, casting an ominous presence; unfortunately, it wasn't part of any intentional Halloween display. However, the fire that claimed the home of a Northwest Tucson family, and the lives of several of their pets, was truly horrific.

The fire broke out on Tucson's Northside sometime after 8:30 pm, and the smoke was visible from miles around. A report by Rob O'Dell for the Arizona Daily Star's online edition says neighbors called 911 around 9 pm. By this point, the north-Tucson home was already fully engulfed, and in the process of burning to the ground. In O'Dell's article, "House Fire Tied To Halloween Candles", O'Dell says Northwest Fire Department "estimated damages at $300,000".

According to the report, no one was home at the time the fire broke out, and the homeowner's were not even in Tucson Saturday night. The family pets, three dogs and two cats, were not so lucky. All five animals are said to have perished in the Halloween-night house fire in Tucson due to smoke inhalation.

The result of early fire investigations indicate the adult children of the homeowners' were watching the house for their parents, and had gone to work, leaving candles lit in a jack-o-lantern for decoration. Investigators believe these candles somehow started the fire that destroyed the Tucson home and killed the family's pets.

Unattended candles are a serious hazard during the holidays, and all year long. Extinguish candles when you can't supervise them, and always burn candles in approved candle-holders. Battery-operated, flickering "tea-light candles" are available for less than $1 a piece at home goods stores nationwide, and are perfect for using in jack-o-lanterns or other decorations when you won't be home or after you've gone to bed.