Chief says ashes from wood stove sparked house fire

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(photo: Union Vale FD)
UNION VALE – The Union Vale Fire Department was dispatched on Dec. 9, 2021, at 4:54 a.m. for an automatic fire alarm at a residence in the Verbank area.  The homeowner also called 911 to report that there was a fire in the residence.

Union Vale Fire Chief Steven Schmoke called for the LaGrange Fire Department to assist at the call. Arriving firefighters found fire in the floor of the first-floor dwelling and extinguished it within ten minutes.

According to Chief Schmoke, “The cause of the fire was determined to be from hot ashes from a wood stove.”

The fire chief credits the working fire alarm system that alerted the residents to the fire and fast response from the firefighters limiting fire damage to the home.

Chief Schmoke used Thursday’s fire as a reminder to others about wood stove safety and offered the following:

  • Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them.
  • Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container.
  • Keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from your home and any other nearby buildings.
  • Never empty the ash directly into a trash can.



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