Dec 20 - Kerosene Heater Causes House Fire; Dept Reminds Families About Fire Safety
CF Staff Report
Dec 20. 2011 – The Savannah Fire & Emergency Services investigators say a kerosene heater is the culprit in a Monday night fire that left two Southside residents without a home.
Savannah firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at 2016 E. Montgomery Crossroads just before 11:30p.m. Monday, and when firefighters arrived on the scene they were met with heavy smoke and flames engulfing the front of the residence.
Firefighters were able to attack the flames quickly and extinguish the blaze, however, the single-story house sustained extensive damage to the front living areas and the front porch. Two residents of the home were able to escape the burning structure.
The American Red Cross was contacted to assist them with alternate living arrangements. According to SFES Chief Investigator Fred Anderson, the fire was caused by a kerosene heater that was in use in a front bedroom. The residents told Anderson the heater caught fire, and they remove it to the back yard, but the carpet where the heater was sitting was ignited, and when the residents fled the home onto the front porch, the flames swelled and engulfed the porch.
Additional fire damage occurred in the living room area of the house. The remainder of the residence sustained smoke and water damage.
Savannah firefighters remind citizens to use space heaters with extreme caution, never use any type of fuel-powered heating appliance in an enclosed structure, and follow safety precautions when employing heating devices.
HOME HEATING SAFETY TIPS
Space heaters can be dangerous if not used with some general safety guidelines in mind. Check your owner’s manuals for general maintenance and cleaning instructions. Each season, before using space heaters, inspect them for proper operation and damage, including the power cord. It is more economical to replace older units than to have them repaired.
Newer units are safer and more economical to operate. Discard old and/or faulty space heaters in a way that they cannot be used by someone else. Never use any type of fuel powered heating device inside a closed structure. Not only are they a fire safety threat, but propane and kerosene powered heaters emit carbon monoxide (an odorless gas) which can accumulate rapidly in an enclosed area and have deadly results.
Never use gasoline in any space heater. Flammable liquids should not be stored inside the home or in an attached garage or shed. This includes any unused fuel still in the motor’s fuel tanks. Store this equipment away from your home or drain excess fuel out of the tank before storing. This simple safety precaution will help prevent accidental fires due to escaping fuel vapors.
And, inspect smoke detectors. Don’t assume these life-saving appliances work just by looking at it. They require some basic maintenance to make sure they will work properly. Nuisance or false alarms are the number one cause for battery removal and are usually caused by installing units too close to the kitchen and or heating vents. Relocate units closer to, or inside sleeping areas to prevent false alarms. Replace the battery when necessary or once a year.
Clean dust and cob webs from around the cover to let air flow inside. Replace units that are ten years old, or if reliability is in question.
Push the test button once a month to make sure it works properly.
Because a fire is always possible, involve everyone in the home, especially children, in the design and practice of an escape plan. Physically practicing the plan helps to identify any un-foreseen difficulties anyone may have when trying to escape.
Designate one meeting place for everyone to gather after evacuating. Children need to know how to save themselves when no one can help them. Practice the plan once a year or anytime living arrangements change in the home.
In the event of a fire, get everyone out first. Call 9-1-1 from a phone away from the home.
Savannah Fire & Emergency Services offers free smoke detectors and installation for homeowners within the City of Savannah. Savannah firefighters also will perform home safety checks to help minimize fire dangers in the home. Contact Savannah Fire & Emergency Services at 651-6756 to schedule either of these services.
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