A dryer gets the blame for a house fire in Chatham.
The Chatham fire department was called to a blaze at 525 St. Clair St. just after 7am on Wednesday to find heavy black smoke and flames coming from the basement window.
Damage to the home and surrounding homes is $150,000. Nobody was hurt and fire crews quickly put out the fire.
“During our CHiRP Home Alarm Checks, we often find alarms missing, expired or not working, especially in the basement,” explains Whitney Burk, CKFES Public Educator. “The fire spread rapidly and smoke consumed the entire home within minutes; the working basement smoke alarm was what alerted the family to get out.”
Burk says the risk of having a fire in your home increases this time of the year and the best and most important thing is to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
She says the Chatham-Kent fire department has responded to ten fires this month and would like to remind residents to have fireplaces and wood stove chimneys cleaned and inspected by a professional. Other safety tips include not placing things that can burn too close to space and portable heaters and using flameless candles but if you use candles, don’t leave them unattended.
For more information visit www.ckfes.ca or request a CHiRP Home Alarm Check by calling 519-360-1998.