Fire leaves over a dozen homeless

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - More than a dozen people are homeless after an early morning fire at a three family house in Springfield.

According to Dennis Leger, Aide to the city's Fire Commissioner, an electrical fire started around 12:30 AM Sunday, in the second floor ceiling of the home which is located at 22-24 Medford Street.

No one was injured.

Volunteers from the Pioneer Valley Red Cross were helping the residents Sunday. There were three adults living on the third floor, and a family of 6 living on the second floor--four children, 2 adults.

Unfortunately, electrical fires are more common in December and January. 22News is working for you with some tips on how you can keep your family safe and avoid a tragedy like this one.

• Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords; do NOT try to repair them on your own.
• Plug any small or major appliances directly into the wall; do NOT plug them into extension cords.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lights or fixtures.
• Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched by something (like furniture or a door).
• Most important, make sure you having a working smoke detector, because it can dramatically increase your chances of surviving a fire.