An attempt to sanitize a mask is believed to have been the reason for a fire call earlier today.
According to White County Public Safety Director David Murphy, at approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, White County fire units, responded to a report of a camper fire at Mountain Lakes Resort north of Cleveland. Cleveland fire department, Helen fire department and Lee Arrendale Fire Brigade 1 provided automatic aid.
When authorities arrived on scene, no smoke was visible in or around the camper, Murphy said. He added that the owner said there was an odor of paper burning and thought it might have been a brush fire. However, when authorities investigated they discovered the camper was full of smoke and when they looked inside the microwave, found what looked like a "mask."
Murphy said the owner confirmed that they put the mask into the microwave to sanitize it, and forgot they put it in there. The owner did not realize it would catch on fire, he added.
There were no injuries and the firefighters removed the mask, he said.
"Please be careful when attempting to sanitizing masks and other PPE equipment," Murphy said. "Check CDC websites for proper sanitizing techniques."