BonnerSprings.com

For the second time this year, an improperly-used heating implement has caused a serious house fire in Bonner Springs — a cause for concern for some safety officials.

Bonner Springs firefighters responded Nov. 22 to a house fire that police investigators later determined was caused by an electric blanket. Last week’s fire was the second in the past year caused by the extended use of a heating implement meant for short-term use.

“That seems to be a pattern that’s developing, and so we wanted to make the public aware and make them think about these hazards,” said Lt. Rick Schubert of the Bonner Springs Police Department.

The most recent fire occurred in the home at 167 Cornell Ave. Firefighters were dispatched at 7:47 p.m., and Clinton Long, fire chief, said the entire front of the home was on fire when fire crews first arrived on the scene.

The fire started on the front porch and knocked out single-pane glass windows to spread to the living room, causing extensive damage, Long said. Bonner firefighters were able to control the blaze and no other departments were called to assist.

The homeowner was present at the time of the fire but was not injured. She was able to stay with family in the area.

Schubert said investigators determined that the owner had placed an electric blanket underneath a cushion in a wicker chair to help her cats keep warm, which started the blaze.

The house fire was reminiscent of one that occurred last winter. On Jan. 10, a fire destroyed the house at 126 Clark and did moderate damage to the home next door. Investigators learned the fire was caused by a blanket laying over a space heater left running to help keep three pet cats warm while the resident was away from home — one of the cats died in the fire.

Schubert and Long said the two incidents exemplify a lack of caution people are taking with heating implements that they seem to assume are safe for extended use.

“I’m not sure they understand the hazard,” Schubert said. “They’re common, everyday appliances, and I don’t think they realize that they’re not intended for continuous use.”

Another common safety hazard is using a kitchen stove or oven to heat an area of a home, Schubert said. He also advised making sure that space heaters are not in contact with combustible materials and that electric blankets or heating pads aren’t used for long periods of time.

With the weather and holidays leading to more use of heating implements, electronic decorations and other items that can potentially start fires, Schubert and Long also gave the following advice:

• Candles — make sure they are in secure holders and keep them away from pets and children. Be sure to completely extinguish them after each use, and never leave burning candles unattended.

• Live Christmas trees — tree selection should emphasize freshness to minimize the fire hazard of dry needles. Cut a half-inch from the base to ensure it can absorb water, and check the water level daily. Use only lights that are Underwriter’s Laboratory approved and in good working order, and use flame-resistant trimmings. Turn the lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.

• Electrical decorations — do not overload electrical outlets or run electrical cords under rugs or in traffic areas.

• Fireplace or chimney — have the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.

• Smoke alarms — make sure alarms are in proper working order and replace the batteries at least twice a year.

Schubert said it’s also important to be prepared in the event there is a fire in the home.

“It works really well if they will just sit down with their family and come up with a fire escape plan,” Schubert said. “It doesn’t have to be real elaborate, just make sure that everybody knows how to get out of the house and where to meet once they get outside.”

Comments