Firefighters respond after a homeowner started a fire, with an outdoor fire pit, inside a residence along First Street SW Thursday between 11 a.m to 1 p.m.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Medicine Hat firefighters were called to reports of a structure fire on First Street SW just before 11 a.m. Thursday, however upon arrival discovered a resident had brought an outdoor fire pit into their home and started a fire.
“The folks in that house actually had a fire pit from outside that they brought inside and decided to have a fire with logs and stuff inside of the home, which is highly not recommended,” explains Fire Prevention Officer Grayson Smith.
Smith says crews were called to the home after smoke filling the residence escaped from the home’s eaves. No damage or injuries were reported, however Smith says it’s important to use fireplaces and other wood-burning appliances to the intended design they are approved for.
“Obviously gas-fired appliances will have the plenum and chimneys on them to exhaust the fumes or the products of combustion, but anything else – propane, butane, fire tables – anything like that, keep them outside. Keep them away from combustibles,” says Smith.
Fire crews were on scene for approximately two hours between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to wrap up the investigation and provide the homeowner and tenants education around fire safety and prevention.
“Especially as we get into the colder season, we want people to be conscious of how they’re operating fire-containing devices, both outside and obviously not having them inside, especially when it comes to fire pits or portable fire pits and tables.”
