Anyone Can Have a House Fire— Even the Chief!

A few weeks ago at 11:30 p.m., Chief Tim Darland’s son, Ryan, woke his parents to tell them there was smoke in the house and it wasn’t from the wildfires in the Gorge. Tim soon spotted smoke seeping out around the dishwasher, then saw flames behind it. After knocking down the fire with an extinguisher, Tim called 911 requesting firefighter response and asking Lyle FD to bring their thermal imaging camera to check for any heat/hidden fire in the walls. 

An investigation revealed an electrical control board behind the dishwasher had melted, shorted out and burst into flames without tripping a circuit breaker. In addition, none of the smoke detectors in the house went off.

So what are the lessons the rest of us homeowners can take from Tim’s misfortune?

First of all, never leave an appliance like a dryer or dishwasher running when you leave home. Dryers can develop a quantity of lint in the exhaust tube and overheat. (Now’s a good time to check yours!) Although it’s rare, radios, TV’s, furnaces, and surge protectors, for example, have all been known to short out and start fires. 

Second, in addition to checking your smoke detector batteries, replace the devices every ten years; even those that are “hard-wired in” (120v.) This type is often found in manufactured homes. Tim replaced all of his detectors with ones that sense both fast flaming and slow smoldering fires. His new 120v. detectors also sense carbon monoxide, which can be especially important for those of us that heat with wood.

Third, it is important to have fire extinguishers available in every outbuilding, vehicle, and several places in the home. Make sure family members know where they are and how to use them. Extinguishers are effective in fighting incipient fires – those that are just becoming apparent and beginning to grow. Knock the fire down while it is small and save yourself a lot of heartache.

Fourth, do like Tim did. Smoke in the house means CALL 911 NOW, even if you think the fire is out! That’s what your fire departments are here for, to help our neighbors in a time of need before things get out of control.

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