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Police warn against smoking while using oxygen after fire starts in West Bend home

Posted at 3:11 PM, Jul 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-27 16:11:54-04

WEST BEND — The West Bend Police Department is warning people against smoking while using oxygen tanks.

Pictures show a small fire started inside a West Bend home early Saturday after the homeowner dropped a cigarette down the oxygen tubing.

Police and fire crews responded to a fire alarm at the house around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. The person was able to stomp out the fire and did not sustain any injuries.

"Please do not utilize smoking materials while using oxygen. The end result of this incident could have been a disaster. UW Hospital Burn Center in Madison had two admissions for burn injuries in March and April of 2020 for people who were burned while smoking and using oxygen. These incidents really do happen, they really cause damage, and they really do cause harm," the West Bend police said on Facebook.

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