Fire investigation complete; chief warns of fire hazards

The death of a 77-year-old Dexter man in a Nov. 4 house fire has been ruled accidental following an investigation by State Fire Marshall Butch Almond from the Cape Girardeau Fire Marshal's office.

Dexter Fire Chief Al Banken confirmed Almond's findings Thursday, explaining that the fire that claimed the life of J.H. "Bo" Taylor in his residence on W. Oak Street in the early morning hours of Nov. 4 was the result of misusing electrical connections in the living room of the home.

"There was a maze of electrical cords running through the room," Banken said. "The circuit was way overloaded."

Why the overload did not throw the breaker system in the home is not known, the chief stated.

Taylor died of apparent smoke inhalation and was found in the back portion of his home. It was surmised at the time of the fire that Taylor had likely been awakened by the fire, had tried to escape the smoke-filled house and became disoriented, never reaching the rear exit of the home. His body was found on the kitchen floor in the rear of the home.

The finding, Banken said, should serve as a reminder to residents to be "very cautious" in using extension cords within their homes.

"Use only UL listed extension cords if they must be used," Banken urges residents, "especially throughout the coming holidays when more lights and extension cords are in use. Read the limits that are printed on your cords, and remember that it's always best to use the shortest of cords to reduce the risk of fire."

"The bottom line," Banken concludes, "is to simply use common sense."