UPDATED 11:45 1/18/2014

The Parkersburg Fire Department now say the cause of today's Market Street house fire is likely due to electrical wiring.

Officials say there is at least $40,000 worth in damage, but due to the home's historical uniqueness and size, the smoke damage could be into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

___________________________________________________ A beloved pet is dead after a Market Street home catches fire.

The Parkersburg Fire Department responded to fire at 1702 Market Street just after 1:30 Saturday afternoon.

Officials say upon arrival heavy smoke was pouring from the first floor.

Chief Eric Taylor says no one was home, except for a family dog who died in the blaze.

Taylor says while battling the flames a firefighter fell through the floor. His injuries are minor and he was not transported from the scene.

Authorities believe the fire started in the first floor, possibly the basement.

Taylor says the damage is contained to those two floors, although windows were knocked out of the second story.

Read more from the original source:
UPDATE: Market Street House Fire

Is your home wiring safe 1
This video is from CBS 42 in Birmingham, AL. Read the article here: http://www.cbs42.com/news/is-your-home-wiring-safe.

By: Birmingham Electrical JATC

Continue reading here:
Is your home wiring safe 1 - Video

The stately old home on Oakridge Avenue had gone without attention for a while.

Walls were cracked and moldy, support beams were rotted, paint and wallpaper were peeling, ceilings sagged and parts of the foundation were crumbling.

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Plan to raze house rallies neighbors

To your right is a house wiring diagram of a typical U.S. or Canadian circuit, showing examples of connections in electrical boxes and at the devices mounted in them. You may prefer to print out the text and the image. Or you may want to try this Version with a vertical image or this Version using frames.

This page takes you on a tour of the circuit. The boxes are shown as light areas. The dark background represents the area between boxes -- usually inaccessible -- where the cables containing the wires shown in the diagram run in the ceiling, wall, and floor framing of the home. As you can see, between any two boxes, either two or three wires run, corresponding to two or three-conductor cable. After you have become familiar with the circuit shown here, you can compare it directly with a housewiring diagram that follows the cables between these boxes as they might be routed in the rooms of a home; for this see Floorplan. For a GFI wiring diagram go to GFIs.

Ground wires (bare or green wires) are not shown. Connections are shown either as wires making contact with the side screw terminals of devices or as wires bundled into blue wire connectors. The diagram is not meant as a guide for doing wiring; for example, the white wires connected to some switches here should nowadays be taped red or black. The diagram is more to familiarize you with what you may encounter in existing homes.

NOTE: Where two wires are shown as contacting a single side-screw on a receptacle or switch, this is not to encourage anyone to ever put more than one wire under a screw (they are only meant to take one). Instead, it is just to indicate that the two wires do electrically connect with each other and with the terminal. But this should be done using any combination of screws, back-holes, clamps, and pigtailing with wirenuts -- all within the capacity of each option.

This circuit starts with A4 receiving hot (black) and neutral (white) wires from the main electrical panel -- imagine the panel below the image. A4 passes hots and neutrals to nearby receptacles A3 and A5 by means of their wires contact with the terminals on A4. A3 and A5 are the beginnings of the two main branches of this circuit, and we can identify several sub-branches that are developed beyond them.

Looking ahead, A3 will feed a string of boxes one direction (A2, B2, A1, B1, C2) and another string through B3, C3, D3, D2, D1, C1, and B4. Meanwhile the branch at A5 provides connection out to B5, C5, D5 ,D4, and C4. It also sends power through A6 to B6, C6, and D6. A6 itself also splits power out to A7, B7, C7, and D7.

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Lets follow the sub-branch that goes left from A3. A3 needs to get its hot and neutral connections passed on so that two lights (A1 and B1) can burn -- not all the time, but according to what the switches at A2, B2, and C2 say. A2 is a normal single-pole switch, as seen by its two side screws. According to the position of its handle, it will either let its light (A1) get the hot connection or not; the neutral connection at A2 (a wire connector) is not affected by the switch.

Meanwhile, however, A2s box needs to help the switches at B2 and C2 receive power so they can run their light (B1). These two switches (B2 and C2) are three-way switches, as seen by their 3 side screws. If either of their handles moves, it changes the hots connectedness to the light. This particular set of 3-way switches is set up in this way: B2s switch sends hotness to C2s along either the red or the white (called "travelers") according to which gold traveler terminal B2s switch internally passes its hotness on to from the black terminal. Similarly, the black at C2 will be made hot or not, depending on which gold traveler terminal the switch internally connects it to. This black wire (the "light leg") is the one whose hotness or unhotness will let the light burn or not, so back at B2's box it must be bundled with the black that goes to B1, where the light is. If your house is newer you may find that the white from B2 to C2 has been colored to show that it is not a neutral, and you may also find a white neutral as a fourth wire going from the other whites in B2 to C2; this is in case a fancy switch that needs a neutral is installed at C2.

Lets go back now to the other sub-branch that goes out from A3. It will run a light (B3) and three receptacles (D1, D2, and D3). The light will be controlled by switch B4, D2 and D3 by switch C3, and D1 by switch C1 (switched receptacles!). Heres how. A3 feeds power to the B3 box, where the light gets its neutral connection immediately; but the light's hotness will depend on switch B4, once B4 has received constant hotness from B3 by a wire connector at B3, which also sends hotness on to the rest of this sub circuit on the black going to C3. Dont rush on. And, yes, a white wire is being used as a hot down to B4; thats the way a cable of two wires comes -- black and white. For some time now this white should be colored differently when installed. In fact wiring done under the 2011 NEC code should use 3- not 2-conductor cable to provide a neutral for possible special switches. In that case the switched wire (black here) would be red, the hot wire (white here) would be black, and the neutral (none here) would be white -- connecting with the other whites at B3 but to nothing at B4 unless the type of switch called for a neutral.

See original here:
House Wiring Diagram of a Typical Circuit

Anne Arundel County

These were among incidents reported by police in Anne Arundel County. For information, call 410-222-8050.

BROOKLYN PARK AREA

ROBBERIES

Seward Ave., 400 block, 2:08 p.m. Jan. 7. Three males approached a woman as she was carrying a trash can behind her home and robbed her of a wallet. The robbers ran through the alley toward Church Street.

CROFTON AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Davidsonville Rd. near Duke of Kent Dr., 4:03 a.m. Jan. 6. A group of males fled on foot from Crofton police, who called county police for backup. It was determined that they had taken copper wiring from a construction trailer in the 1400 block of Duke of Kent Drive and placed it in a vehicle. An Alexandria man, 23, and an Oxon Hill man, 29, were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary and theft. The Oxon Hill man was served an open warrant for failure to appear in traffic court.

GLEN BURNIE AREA

WEAPONS

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Anne Arundel County and Howard County crime report

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - If you're looking for a car and a home for one price, look no further than Scottsdale.

A couple is selling a multi-million dollar home and included in the listing price is a 2013 Ferrari.

"The buyer wants it (Ferrari), that's the kind of buyer we're appealing to," said realtor Andrew Bloom.

Bloom said the 7,600 square foot home near Cactus Road and Loop 101 went on the market Friday.

"It's one level, it's on more than an acre with no homeowners association," said Bloom while standing in the back yard near a lavish pool and basketball court. "It's got something for everyone, families, bachelors, just anyone and that someone will want the Ferrari, the Ferrari comes with the territory."

The large custom built home includes a panic room, two massive walk-in closets, a man cave, children's playroom and more than a dozen TVs.

"And most of the TVs convey, they are part of the home, part of the wiring and the security system here is amazing, cameras everywhere, watching everything, this is just a beautiful amazing house with a beautiful car that comes with it," Bloom said.

The car, a 2013 Ferrari California is worth around $200,000.

When asked if he would knock off the price of the home if a buyer doesn't want the car, Bloom said "no."

The price of the home Bloom said is $2.4 million. If a buyer comes in at asking price, the Ferrari will be in the garage.

See original here:
Buy Scottsdale home, get a sports car

Sunnyvale, CA (PRWEB) January 13, 2014

iSmart Alarm Inc. today announced that the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) TechHome Division has named iSmartAlarm the Home Technology App of the Year as part of its 2014 Mark of Excellence Awards at International CES. iSmartAlarm was also one of three finalists for the Residential Security Product of the Year award. The CEA awards recognize the best in custom integration and installed technology. Nominees were judged and selected by independent experts within the industry and an awards ceremony honoring the winners was recently held in in Las Vegas.

iSmartAlarm was recognized as Home Technology App of the Year for its ability to allow every user complete control over their homes security utilizing the iSmartAlarm smartphone app. With the app, users can easily and affordably monitor, manage and secure their home, property and family, regardless of location.

It is a great honor to be recognized as Home Technology App of the Year by CEA, said Raymond Meng, co-founder and CEO, iSmart Alarm. From the very start, weve set out to put home security and control in the palm of our users hands, utilizing smartphone-enabled technology. To be chosen for this coveted award by experts within the industry is very gratifying and will fuel us as we continue to make home security and control safer and smarter.

The iSmartAlarm home control ecosystem offers users advanced home control, security and automation using their iPhone or Android devices at a fraction of the cost of traditional security companies. The companys flagship product, iSmartAlarm, puts a 21st century spin on traditional systems by offering a self-monitored, self-controlled home security system that is designed to be expandable, mobile and DIY, with no wiring necessary. iSmart Alarm has also recently introduced iSmartAlarm Doorfront, which alerts users via their smartphones when someone comes to the front door or rings the doorbell, and iSmartAlarm Smart Switch, which allows users complete control over their homes lighting, appliances, security and electrical bill through their mobile devices.

For more information on iSmart Alarm and its products, visit https://www.ismartalarm.com/.

For more information on CEAs Mark of Excellence Awards, visit http://www.ce.org/Events-and-Awards/Awards/Mark-of-Excellence-Awards.aspx.

iSmart Alarm Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/iSmartAlarm Facebook: facebook.com/iSmartAlarmInc

About iSmart Alarm, Inc.: iSmart Alarm, Inc. was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012 on the principles of safety, beauty, and intelligence. They designed and developed the best smartphone-enabled home security and home control system. The iSmartAlarm puts a 21st century spin on traditional security systems. The sleek, sophisticated system utilizes Apple devices to put home security and home control in the palm of its users hands. Their products are cool, simple to use, and affordable to everyone. iSmartAlarm protects your home intelligently.

Read more from the original source:
iSmartAlarm Wins Home Technology App of the Year Award From the Consumer Electronics Association

Photo by: Rantoul Fire Department

The scene of a fire on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2014, in Rantoul.

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RANTOUL - A couple who lost their home to the tornado that struck Gifford Nov. 17 lost a second home in Rantoul Sunday morning.

This time fire was the cause of the blaze at the home of Harley and Shirley LaBounty. Also living there was her mother, Emma Carpenter, at 1700 Eater Drive.

Harley LaBounty and Carpenter were at home at the time of the fire. They were not injured. Shirley LaBounty was at the home of her daughter recuperating at the home of her daughter following surgery.

The LaBountys had moved to the Eater Drive address after the devastating tornado that destroyed much of Gifford.

Rantoul Fire Chief Ken Waters said Harley LaBounty was trying to start his car in the garage. LaBountys son, Mike, said a wiring problem in the car is believed to be the cause of the fire.

He went back in the house ... and the fire ignited under the hood, destroying the garage, the car and causing smoke and heat damaging throughout the house, Waters said.

Read more:
After losing home to tornado, second home lost to fire

James Suehs and his adult son had planned to move to Bryan at the end of the month before their Burleson County home went up in flames on Monday night.

The bodies of 70-year-old James Suehs and 49-year-old James Suehs Jr. were discovered as firefighters battled the blaze around 11:30 p.m. on County Road 101 in Deanville, 10 miles southwest of Caldwell.

A preliminary autopsy found that their deaths were fire-related.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has not released the cause of the fire, but Kenya Suehs, James Suehs Jr.'s daughter, said investigators told her it was an accidental fire that had to do with wiring in the aging home.

Kenya Suehs didn't see her father often but talked on the phone several times a day and had been looking forward to driving down from the Tyler area to introduce her father to a daughter he had never met. She described both father and son as "homebodies" who loved to make jokes.

James Suehs Jr. enjoyed spending time with his 11-year-old grandson and was always with his chihuahua named Little Bit, who died at his side during the fire, Kenya Suehs said.

"If he loved someone, he loved them with everything he had," she said of her father.

Having suffered a heart attack recently, her father had shared his last wishes during one of their last conversations, Kenya Suehs said. He asked that Ozzy Osbourne's Mama I'm Coming Home be played during his service in honor of his mother.

Services for James Suehs Sr. will be handled by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell. James Suehs Jr. will be cremated and taken to Hilliard Funeral Home in the East Texas town of Van with a memorial service scheduled for 4 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Church of Garden Valley.

See more here:
Father, son died in Monday's Burleson County house fire

In our on-demand world, being connected to information and entertainment around the clock with is practically a given. To get that, youll need a high-tech home wiring system that can deliver the infrastructure youll need for a connected world.But how do you bring this 21st century convenience into a home from a completely different era?

New homes offer the best opportunity for integrating high-tech home wiring systems, but many manufacturers offer smart products to retrofit existing homes. As a result, you can now improve your homes automation, security, and value with options ranging from in-room conveniences to household-wide systems easily controlled from a single touch screen.

Heres a sampling of solutions to mix and match in the creation of your very own high-tech wired home.

Entertainment on demand:If youre entranced by your HDTV/DVR combination or cant go a day without your personal MP3 playlist, there are ways to add even more convenience to their entertaining delivery. Whole-house high-tech wiring systems allow you to centralize all audio and video delivery equipment, load up your favorite music and movies, and then enjoy them from any connected point in the home any time. Zoned controls also mean that different folks can enjoy a range of entertainment simultaneously: jazz can serenade a casual gathering on the patio while a childrens movie entertains in the living room and a vacation slide show rolls in the kitchen.

Lighting for mood, effect and safety:The advent of wireless home lighting control systems has made it easier than ever to integrate convenience, luxury and security into a homescape. Without tearing down walls for wiring or rerunning electrical wires, RF technology can make use of existing 110-volt home wiring for a retrofit as brilliant as the custom designs built into new homes. Convenient features for setting the scene include one-button vacation/alert, all on/all off and soft on/soft off modes, and security can be enhanced by setting indoor and outdoor lights to go on and off automatically. Even better, you can save money with dimming and overload detection that extend bulb life and conserves energy.

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Home Network Wiring | High-Tech Home Wiring System | The Money Pit