Christmas tree fuels Bethlehem St. fire

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A dried out Christmas tree is being blamed for a house fire in the Suffolk area late Tuesday night.

Diana Klink with the City of Suffolk said the fire sparked around 10:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Bethlehem Street in downtown Suffolk. When crews arrived, they found heavy fire on the first and second floors of the home.

An investigation into the cause revealed the fire was accidental and started in the area where a live Christmas tree was located, Klink said. The tree was put up after Thanksgiving but had not been watered.

"When I came out of my house last night, I looked up and the roof was on fire," Clarence Parker, a neighbor told WAVY.com.

Two adults have been displaced and were not home at the time of the fire. No one was injured.

The American Red Cross is assisting the occupants.

The City of Suffolk posted a fire safety video on its YouTube channel Tuesday.

An expert said live trees need to be kept away from heat sources and need to be watered at least twice a day.

Click here to watch WAVY News 10 Art Kohn's report on Christmas tree safety tips.