Man killed in space-heater fire

Rebecca Malone

Monday, Dec. 31, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

A space-heater fire took the life of a local man early Saturday in southeastern Las Vegas.

Ralph Crider, 55, was found dead in the bedroom of his mobile home at the Boulder Lakes RV Resort, 6201 Boulder Highway, near Russell Road, according to Clark County Fire Department.

Crider's wife was sleeping on the couch when the fire ignited about 12:30 a.m. and was able to escape without injury, fire department spokesman Steve La-Sky said. Her husband, whom she could hear, was unable to leave the home because of the way it was built, La-Sky said.

"Fires as a result of space heater accidents are a big problem this time of year, especially in mobile homes," La-Sky said. "They do happen a lot."

La-Sky said many people do not realize the dangers of misusing space heaters. Nothing should be within five feet of the unit, especially flammable items, he said.

"Space heaters are usually used where people can't afford the traditional forms of heat," La-Sky said. "What they need to remember is that space heaters need space. Don't let them come in contact with anything."

People should never use propane or kerosene heaters in their homes and should only be using newer model space heaters with all of the safeguards, La-Sky said.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze, which caused about $20,000 in damage, to the one home.

Another fire early Saturday in eastern Las Vegas destroyed a house and killed two cats, La-Sky said.

The two-alarm fire started about 1:30 a.m. at 6516 Plum Orchard Circle, near Charleston and Hollywood boulevards. No one was home at the time, La-Sky said.

La-Sky said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but that there was nothing suspicious about the fire. Damage was estimated at $150,000.