Abingdon House Fire Causes $10K in Damage: Fire Marshal

Improper ash disposal caused $10,000 in damage to a home in Abingdon Sunday morning, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The owner of a home in the 2900 block of Salford Drive discovered fire at the residence at approximately 1:45 a.m., the fire marshal reported.

The fire marshal said the blaze began outside in front of the two-story wood home.

The cause of the fire was improper disposal of fire pit ashes, according to the fire marshal; the ashes had been placed in a plastic container, the fire marshal reported.

They ignited a bale of hay nearby and a wall, according to the report.

Approximately 20 firefighters from Bel Air, Abingdon and Joppa-Magnolia fire companies responded, bringing the fire under control within 15 minutes, the report said.

There was $10,000 in structural damage as a result of the blaze, and nobody was displaced, the fire marshal said.

Ash disposal tips from the Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Association (previously provided):

• Put ashes in a metal bucket/container (never plastic/paper).
• Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
  
• Clear an area to set the container on—possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
• Completely immerse the materials in water.
• Allow the contents to soak.