Lee Burlingame was eating dinner when he heard a rap at the window.
That’s when the junior music major was told by a neighbor that his attic was on fire. Burlingame immediately got up, ran across the street shoeless and saw smoke coming from the roof.
He dialed 9-1-1 immediately.
The fire at 1908 Hilyard St. was out within 20 minutes, said Eugene Springfield Fire Department Bureau Chief Jeff Kronser.
Crews arrived shortly after Burlingame’s call to put out the two-alarm flare, which officials say didn’t cause any major damage to the home. Nobody was hurt, either, but the house’s three residents would have to find a place to stay for the night.
Northbound traffic on Hilyard Street was detoured for a little more than an hour as crews got the fire under control and cleaned up afterward.
Kronser said that most fires in that area are a result of overloaded power outlets, particularly when the weather gets warm.
“Most of the time it’s people doing something the house wasn’t designed for,” he said. “They’ll overload electrical units because there’s too many fans plugged in.”
Kronser also said that Tiki torches, barbecue grills and “anything that goes along with summer activities” also often lead to unexpected fires.
“Have a hose ready if you have a Tiki torch,” he said.
Follow Eder Campuzano on Twitter: @edercampuzano