KNOXVILLE, TN – The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) responded yesterday morning to a residential fire on Gillespie Avenue, marking the second electrical fire in just 48 hours caused by the overloading of a power strip.
After an on-scene investigation, KFD fire investigators determined the cause of the fire on Gillespie Avenue to be the same as a fire that occurred earlier this week on Fremont Place—an overloaded power strip used to supply electricity to multiple high-demand appliances.
“This is the second time in as many days we’ve seen a preventable fire caused by overloading power strips,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mark Wilbanks. “These devices are not designed to handle high-wattage equipment like space heaters, air conditioners, or multiple kitchen appliances at once. When overloaded, they can quickly overheat and ignite.”
The Knoxville Fire Department urges all residents to follow safe electrical practices:
• Avoid plugging multiple high-wattage devices into any power strip.
• Never use extension cords or power strips for permanent wiring.
• Ensure power strips are UL-listed and have built-in surge protection.
• Regularly inspect cords and strips for damage or signs of overheating.
The Knoxville Fire Department will continue to raise awareness about electrical safety and encourages residents to take preventative action to avoid similar incidents.
