BRIDGE CITY, Texas — An Orange County woman survived a trailer fire early Tuesday morning after one of her dogs awoke her in time to escape.
Bridge City firefighters from Orange County Emergency Services District Number Two were sent to the fire at the Orange Texas RV Resort on Texas Highway 62 at about 12:30 a.m. according to fire chief Elgin Browning.
When firefighters got there, the RV trailer was a fully involved fire and strong winds made it difficult to fight he said. Two neighboring trailers were also damaged in the fire he said.
The woman, who was living in the trailer, was able to escape the fire along with her dogs according to Browning. She says one one of the dogs awoke her and alerted her to the fire he said.
"Actually her puppy dog that woke her up from that. He's the true hero," said a neighbor, Marisa McMichael. "All I could do was just wrap her in a hug and tell her thank God you're okay. And just all we could do was just watch it burn and it was just devastating."
Firefighters believe the fire, which totally destroyed the trailer, was started by an "electric fireplace heater" according to Browning.
"Recreational vehicles are not made for long occupancy. But they're putting fireplace heaters in their electrical heaters. And they were using that in order to save on propane," Browning said.
He also described it as a "fireplace radiant heater."
"They've got to look at the voltage. They've got to look at these heaters. And really be safe, and be mindful. We don't recommend them that they leave them on at night when they're unattended," he said.
The woman is now staying with a family member, according to Browning.
"And my advice is if you have one of those fireplace heaters in your camper don't run it," McMichael said.
Firefighters used a second hose to protect neighboring RV trailers.
"High winds really hampered our efforts but they prevented it from damaging any other RVs," Browning said.
Firefighters from Orange County Emergency Services District Number Three also responded to the fire.
No injuries were reported related to the fire.
Check the voltage before you turn on an electric fireplace or space heater. The wires and outlets in some RVs are not made to handle the voltage and can lead to fires like this one, according to Browning.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.