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November 9, 2009

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Bottles of oxygen fuel bedroom fire

Monday, April 13, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.

Several bottles of oxygen an elderly woman relied on to ease her breathing are believed to have accelerated a fire inside her bedroom that remains under investigation today in northwest Las Vegas, authorities said.

Frank Haley, 75, told investigators that he awoke when his wife, Rita Haley, 76, began yelling that her bed was on fire about 10:45 a.m. Sunday, said Tim Szymanski, Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman.

Firefighters were able to confine the flames to the front bedroom of the single-story home at 1908 Harvest Drive, near Rainbow and Lake Mead boulevards. The bedroom was destroyed and the rest of the house sustained light smoke damage. Investigators estimated total damage at $25,000.

Frank Haley suffered a second-degree burn on his hand and Rita Haley suffered a first-degree burn on her leg. Paramedics treated both at the scene. A teenager and another adult living in the home escaped injury.

Szymanski said investigators have not determined what initially ignited the bed. American Red Cross was working with the family to find them shelter until their home can be repaired.

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