A family of four was displaced after an early morning house fire in North Las Vegas caused a complete roof collapse Thursday.
North Las Vegas Fire Department and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responded around 5:30 a.m. to the 3700 block of Gioeli Place, near Alexander and Gowan roads, according to FOX5 Vegas.
Firefighters arrived to find a two-story single-family home on fire. Three adults and one teen had already escaped before crews arrived, and firefighters rescued two dogs from the home.
The fire caused the roof to collapse completely. The family is now being assisted by the Red Cross.
Fire Officials Pointed To A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
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FOX5 Vegas reported that the cause appears to be accidental and tied to an exhaust fan in a bathroom. Bathroom exhaust fans are easy to forget because they sit above eye level and may run for years with little attention.
Fort Mill Fire Department warns that bathroom exhaust fans can cause fires and urges residents to clean them every six months.
Dust And Lint Can Build Up Inside The Fan
Fort Mill Fire Department guidance says residents should remove the plastic grille, wash it with warm water, and vacuum the interior fan housing. The goal is to clear lint and debris from the housing and around the blower motor.
In a bathroom used every day, dust, lint, long run times, age, and a worn motor can turn a small ceiling fixture into a hidden fire risk.
Smoke Alarms Still Need To Cover Sleeping Areas
The U.S. Fire Administration says smoke alarms should be installed inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas, and on every level of a home. The agency also recommends interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
The North Las Vegas fire happened early in the morning, when many families are still asleep. In this case, everyone inside got out before firefighters arrived, and crews rescued the two dogs before the family began dealing with the loss of the home.