Can opener blamed in fatal fire

SHENANDOAH, Iowa -- An electric can opener was the likely cause of a weekend house fire that killed a Shenandoah, Iowa, woman, said Iowa Fire Marshall John Ticer.

Karen Beecher, 65, who lived in the home, died in the fire early Sunday morning.

"The ignition source was an under-the-cupboard electrical can opener," Ticer said. "We believe there was an electrical short where the cord meets the switch."

Beecher called 911 at 1:22 a.m. Sunday, and the Shenandoah Fire Department arrived on the scene at 1:33 a.m. Because of extreme heat and smoke in the house, Ticer said firefighters could not immediately locate Beecher.

"It took about five or 10 minutes to find the deceased," said Ticer.

The fire began in the kitchen and Beecher was found in her bedroom. Ticer said he believes Beecher inhaled smoke while she slept, which probably prevented her from escaping the house.

"She had a very brief conversation with (911) in which she starting coughing at the end," Ticer said.

Ticer said there was a smoke detector in the house, but it was not in working condition.

Dennis Christiansen, who was Beecher’s supervisor at Edward Jones Investment in Shenandoah, said Beecher was a wonderful person. The two had worked together for 22 years, he said.

"She got along with everybody," he said. "She was a professional. Everything was done the way it was supposed to be done."