Fire Blotter: Garage Blaze, Wreath Fire, Labor in Saint Paul

Saint Paul fire say the period of time from Thanksgiving to the New Year is the most dangerous for residential fires. To keep your friends and family safe this Yuletide season, be sure to stay and look when you cook, keep live Christmas trees and other decorations watered, away from candles, fireplaces, and other sources of heat, and make sure holiday lights are in good repair.

With the arrival of cold weather, if you choose to use an additional source for heat, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away, turn if off when you leave the room or go to sleep, and plug it directly into an outlet, not a power strip or extension cord. Saint Paul fire say you should ever use an oven to heat your home.

During the week of Dec. 7 through Dec. 13, the Saint Paul Fire Department responded to 847 calls for service. Here is a sampling of some of the emergency and non-emergency activities from information provided by the fire department via Facebook:

Garage Fire

On Dec. 7 at 4:45 pm, Saint Paul Firefighters were called to a report of a garage on fire. Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved, detached two-car garage/workshop fire. It is believed the fire was caused by the illegal wood stove in the garage, or an electrical malfunction. Damages are estimated at $50,000.

Vehicle-Pedestrian Crash

Saint Paul firefighters/paramedics and EMTs responded to the 1500 block of Adrian Street on Dec. 8 at 8:55 pm for a 57 year old male who was a pedestrian struck by a vehicle while crossing the street earlier in the day. He was treated for leg pain and transported to an area hospital.

Assault

On Dec. 8 at 9:33 pm, Saint Paul Firefighter/Paramedics and EMTs responded to a home in the North End neighborhood for a 30 old pregnant female reporting abdominal pain after being assaulted earlier in the day. She was treated and transported to an area hospital.

Wreath Display Fire

On Dec. 9 at 3:10 am, Saint Paul Firefighters responded to a report of a rubbish fire at a store on the 600 block of West 7th Street. They arrived to find a wreath display outside the store on fire. The investigation determined the fire was likely caused by carelessly discarded smoking materials. Damages are estimated at $400. Discard smoking materials in a deep, wide ashtray and soak with water before placing in garbage can.

Labor

Saint Paul Firefighter/Paramedics and EMTs responded to a home in the South Como neighborhood for a pregnant 38-year-old in labor on December 9th at 6:30 am. She was treated and transported to an area hospital.

Image via Saint Paul Fire