Brush Fire on Rockhouse Road in Easton Prompts Fire Marshal to Issue Safety Warning

EASTON, CT — After a brush fire on Rockhouse Road in Easton, the Easton Fire Marshal is reminding residents of how to safely dispose of fireplace ashes.

The Fire Marshal says that when firefighters responded to Rockhouse Road for a report of a brush fire on Jan. 29, it was quickly determined that the fire was caused by the improper disposal of fireplace ashes. The Fire Marshal says that hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and dozens of families are displaced due to the improper disposal of ashes that cause fires.

Here are some fire safety tips from the Easton Office of the Fire Marshal.

1. First of all, make sure there are no hot spots left in the ashes. This is done either by soaking them in water or leaving them sit for a few days if practical (and then double checking them for hot spots).
2. Secondly, all ashes should be stored in a fire- resistant (metal) container with a tight fitting cover (buckets made especially for storage of ashes are available at many area retailers). They should NEVER be disposed of in a plastic garbage bag or can, a cardboard box, or paper grocery bag.
3. This metal container should then be placed outside the home, away from anything that can burn. It should NOT be placed next to the firewood pile, up against the garage, on or under a wooden deck, or under a porch.
4. After sitting in this sealed metal container for at least three days, the ashes are then safe to dispose of.

Image via Shutterstock.