MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Firefighters are asking families to be careful using fireplaces or wood burning stoves after a chimney fire destroyed a home and displaced a family of three.
Firefighters were called to a single-story house on the 24300 block of 59th Place W. around 1:40 a.m. Sunday. A man inside the home had been awake and heard “an unusual crackling sound coming from the wood stove,” according to Leslie Hynes, a spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 1. He woke his wife and 2-year-old daughter and the three got out of the house safely to call 911.
Flames had spread from the chimney to one wall of the house when firefighters arrived. They tamped down the blaze in about 20 minutes and no one was injured, according to a news release.
However, the fire did about $60,000 worth of damage. The home is no longer safe to live in. Red Cross is working with the family to make sure they have food and shelter.
Following the early morning blaze, the fire district released a list of tips to help people prevent fires when using fireplaces or wood stoves in this cold weather.
Stoves and chimneys should be installed by professionals. They also should be inspected and cleaned by professionals each fall, just before the weather turns cold and fireplaces or stoves are used for heat. Even after the big fall cleaning, anyone using a chimney should clean it regularly with a wire brush.
Burning the right materials also is critical for preventing fires. Dry, seasoned wood is best for wood stoves and pellet stoves are meant to be used only for burning pellets.
Always give ashes time to cool before removing them from the fireplace. Throw them away in a covered metal container at least 10 feet away from buildings.
Stay at least 3 feet away from a stove or fireplace when it’s in use. Objects also should be placed at least 3 feet away.
Like in any home, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level of the building. Test alarms each month and make sure new batteries are put in as needed.
Keep an eye on burn bans in the area. Most of Snohomish County remained under a stage 2 burn ban this weekend due to stagnant weather and high pollution levels in the air. Darrington was at a less severe stage 1 ban.
At stage 2, burning is not allowed in any wood stoves or fireplaces unless the homeowner has approval from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency because they have no other source of heat. Outdoor fires are not allowed, either.
Wind is expected to pick up Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Clean Air Agency. That would ease pollution levels and possibly allow for an end to the burn ban.
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