MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Prince George’s
County Firefighters extinguished two home fires this morning caused by
residents trying to stay warm. Temperatures the last couple of nights have dropped below or near the freezing
mark and some residents resorted to standard forms of staying warm.
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| A wall of fire met firefighters making entry into burning home. Images by Fire Fighter/Medic David R. McKeag |
At about 7:45
this morning firefighters were alerted to a house fire in the 6700 block of
Seat Pleasant Drive in Seat Pleasant.
Firefighters arrived to a 2-story single family home with smoke showing. As soon as firefighters forced open the front
door a wall of fire blew out of the front door and over their heads. Firefighters advanced hose lines into the
house and quickly knocked down the fire.
A search of the home was performed with no occupants located. Unfortunately 2 family dogs were found deceased
and a cat was missing. Fire
Investigators determined that a electric space heater was too close to
combustibles which ignited. Preliminary
fire loss estimates are $50,000. No one
was home when the fire started, however, 2 adults and 2 children will be
displaced. They received some relief
from the American Red Cross and will be staying with other family members.
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| Firefighters had to tear apart the exterior wall to extinguish fire caused by a malfunctioning fireplace. Image by Billy McNeel |
At around 9:30
this morning firefighters were alerted to a house fire in the 4800 block of
Megan Drive in Clinton. Firefighters
arrived at the 2-story home and found a working chimney fire. The occupants had a fire burning in the
fireplace with fire extension into the attic area and behind the walls. The fire was quickly extinguished but not
before firefighters had to do some extensive overhaul to extinguish the fire in
the walls. Four adults and 1 child are displaced. Often times a malfunctioning
chimney with missing mortar or bricks can allow heat and hot embers to escape
into walls and the attic igniting a fire.
No one was injured in this fire that caused an estimated $40,000 in fire
loss.
The Prince George’s County
Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department (PGFD) is reminding everyone that home fires are more
prevalent in cold weather than in any other time of the year. This is due in
part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. This reminder involves
the safe use of space heaters and general heating safety tips.
Stay Safe
The civilian, volunteer
and paid men and women of the Fire/EMS Department want to remind everyone that
fire safety and prevention are especially important during times of cold
temperatures.
“Temperatures drop and
fires increase,” said Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor.
According to NFPA statistics space heaters account for about one third of
the home heating fires yet more than 80 percent of the home heating fire
deaths.
The Winter Residential
Building Fires report released by USFA in 2010, reports an estimated 108,400
winter residential building fires occur annually in the United States,
resulting in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7
billion in property loss. Cooking and heating are the top causes of fires
during cold weather.
“Colder temperatures
during the Fall and Winter Season brings the highest number of home fires than
any other time of year,” said Fire Chief Bashoor. “Each season, home fires
increase in part due to cooking and heating fires. Fire safety and injury
prevention must not be lost in an effort to stay warm. Stay warm and do so
safely. Safety First ensures everyone goes home.”
The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
recommend the following safety tips for space heaters.
Space Heaters
• Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized
laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Check to make sure it has a
thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater
falls over or if placed too close to an object.
• Heaters are not dryers or tables;
don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater.
• Space heaters need space; keep
combustibles at least three feet away from each heater.
Always unplug your electric space
heater when not in use.
Turn off at night or whenever you
sleep.
Never use an extension cord with
space heaters - plug directly into wall socket.
Using
a kerosene space heater
Never refuel indoors.
Remove the kerosene heater outdoors, turn
off and wait for it to cool down before refueling and only use the correct type
of fuel.
General
Heating Tips
• Furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned and
checked each year by an appropriate professional prior to using. Clear
away any clutter from these heating devices, at least 3 feet away.
• Only use seasoned wood in fireplaces, never use ignitable
liquids to start a fire and do not overload your appliance.
• The 3-foot rule also applies to furnaces and
fireplaces. No combustibles items within 3 feet of these heating
appliances.
• Dispose of fireplace ash into a metal container and store
outdoors away from structures on a concrete surface. Fireplace ash
can ignite a fire days after they have been discarded.
Finally,
ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working by pushing the
test button on the front cover. Your alarms should be tested monthly on
the first day of every month - Safety First Day of the Month. If you do
not hear an audible warning, replace your alarm with a new 10-year, tamper
proof, with hush feature alarm. Having a working smoke alarm and a
planned and practiced home escape plan dramatically increases your chances of
surviving a home fire.
A working CO detector will protect
you and your family from deadly "silent killer" fumes that may be
building up in your home. Remember to practice a home escape plan
frequently with your family.
For additional information from the
USFA on Winter Fire Safety; click here.usfire.gov.
Residents are encouraged to utilize
Prince George’s County’s County 311 system to obtain information about public
services and obtaining a smoke alarm installed in your home.
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