News Reports

Dryer Causes Home Fire In Coachella

(CBS) COACHELLA, Calif. An improperly vented dryer was apparently responsible for a fire Tuesday that caused about $50,000 in damage to a Coachella home, authorities said.

Smoke alarms went off at the home at 53427 Calle Bella at 6:40 a.m., Patrick Chandler of the Riverside County Fire Department said.

By the time firefighters arrived, the flames had spread from the dryer, which was in the garage, to an adjacent porch and inside the house.

The eight residents-- three children and five adults--were not injured.

The fire consumed destroyed a porch, a craft room and a bedroom, Chandler said.

Firefighters discovered that lint had collected behind the dryer, which likely caused the blaze, he said.