Wood Ashes Ignite Fire In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Firefighters quickly extinguished a small fire at a home in Hamden on Thursday afternoon. Officials say the fire was caused by wood ashes being placed too close to the home.

Firefighters responded to a smoke investigation inside a home located at 103 Carleton Street at about 1:10 p.m. The homeowner reported smoke from an unknown source entering his first floor living area with no flame visible, according to Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede.

Arriving crews found a fire inside an exterior wall and quickly extinguished. Firefighters determined the fire had not extended to the second floor or attic spaces. Minor water and overhaul damage to the home was unavoidable in order to prevent the fire from spreading, according to Merwede. There were no injuries and the residents were able to remain in their home this evening.

“Deputy Fire Marshal Timothy Lunn investigated the origin and cause of the fire,” Merwede wrote in a press release. “DFM Lunn has released the accidental cause of the fire to be wood ashes placed too close to the exterior siding of the home in a non-metal container.

“As a public service reminder, the Hamden Fire Department recommends the safe disposal of wood or coal ash in metal cans (with a lid) designed for that purpose. The ash disposal can should be placed at least ten feet from the structure on a non-combustible surface. Ash cans should not be placed on decks or porches or left unattended inside a garage. Exterior fires can quickly become interior fires.”

Photos via the Hamden Fire Department