Electrical fire erupts in Greens Farms Road home

An electrical socket burst into flames in a Greens Farms Road home Friday afternoon, singing both the wall and a nearby mattress.

Flames shot out of the power outlet around 1 p.m., fire officials said. But the homeowner switched off the circuit breaker for the room and then alerted firefighters.

When firefighters arrived, they checked the wall to see the extent of fire damage, which was limited to the outlet itself and to the edge of a mattress against the wall. The flames tore through a bed sheet and charred bits of the mattress itself.

Fire officials removed the mattress from the room.

An inspector from the Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.

"Residents are reminded that whenever you have an emergency, call 911 immediately to ensure that needed help is responding as quickly as possible," said Assitant Chief Robert Kepchar.