Ash from Wood Burning Stove Suspected of Causing Herbertsville House Fire
No injuries reported in afternoon blaze
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Nobody was injured in a fire that rendered a house in the township's Herbertsville section uninhabitable Thursday afternoon.
The fire at the ranch-style home at 512 Albermarle Road, which was reported at 2:30 p.m., led to a general alarm that brought out all four of the township's fire companies, Fire Marshall Kevin Batzel said.
Batzel said the fire is officially still under investigation, but it is believed that improperly disposed-of ash from a wood burning stove is responsible for starting the fire.
The fire started outside of the home and worked its way in, Batzel said, and the homeowner later told investigators that ash from the stove had been disposed of outside the home in the morning.
Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes, said Batzel.
The Herbertsville, Laurelton, Pioneer Hose and Breton Woods fire companies all responded, as well as the Point Pleasant Borough fire company.
Several EMS squads also responded, though there were no injuries reported.
Batzel said all local residents should ensure that heating devices such as wood burning stoves are safe for use, especially since people are more likely to use them during the current cold snap.
"Make sure that they're properly installed, and if they're in use, that they're constantly checked," he said.
Ray Mc Nabb
3:10 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
What Great Volunteers we have. Hats off to them. All residents should contribute to these firemen and women.
AJ
4:05 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
We do look at your tax bill.
Lori Morrison
5:28 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Your fire taxes are approximately 1 percent of your total tax bill, the same amount as the library tax. All donations are needed and appreciated!
brick strong
3:30 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Fast response and they did there best..what was the cause and hope no one was hurt...
Lyndag
3:58 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
no one was hurt but now there is a family with 3 small childeren who are homeless.
WMS826
5:01 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Yes, I think they will need assistance very shortly. Boys all in Herbertsville School age
Joseph Woolston Brick
9:08 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
This reminds me of a fire that was in the national news. A family perished when their son went outside for a late night smoke on his front steps, there was a garden in the front of the house that had those garden chips all around it, the kid threw his cigarette into those garden chips and went to bed, the chips caught fire and burned the house down to the ground and I believe he was the only one to escape the blaze alive. I had those chips around my whole house perimeter, I raked them all up and got rid of them and I keep nothing but dirt and flowers around the house now, until then I had no clue a house could burn down from the outside to the inside. Those ground chips look nice, but I'm not taking any chances. If I ever get a house with a fireplace or a wood stove, I will be sure to dispose of the ashes properly as well. Feel so bad for the family.
clamdigger
9:16 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
rule of thumb use to be to have a metal trash can w lid to put ashes into and leave them for at least 12 hrs. if bottom of can was cold to touch then ashes probably non flammable but still need to be checked by opening can and stirring/sifting through before disposing of in trash.
kim
9:27 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
So scary. Thank goodness the family is safe.
lorri higgins
8:00 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Was this the reason that Herbertsville Road was closed yesterday afternoon?
Quah
8:42 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
There was a serious car accident near Double A stables also
Stacey
8:02 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
The family is safe and are staying with family members right now. It is a shock and it will take a long time to recover. Keep them in your prayers.
Adinalee
8:34 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
I lived next door to that house when I was growing up. Beautiful house, so sad. The Herbertsville firehouse is right at the end of the street...