Thousands of dollars in damage to travel trailer on Sheldon
Avenue
Gilroy – A portable space heater placed too close to flammable objects caused a travel trailer to go up in flames Monday night, said South Santa Clara Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention officials. The heater was touching the bedsheets and mattress inside the trailer at 4310 Sheldon Ave., and the smoke woke the sleeping 22-year-old living inside. He escaped uninjured, however, his home sustained more than $8,000 in damages.
The fire comes just two weeks after a 6,000-square-foot home sustained more than $100,000 in damages to the roof and attic due to a faulty flue in the chimney. Fire officials are concerned more heating fires will be the result of the rising cost of energy.
‘With the heating prices going up people are looking for alternative methods,” said Battalion Chief Derek Witmer. “Some people will actually bring in barbecue pits and light charcoal on fire to heat up their space.”
Even with ventilation, using that type of heating can cause a dangerous situation as carbon monoxide builds up inside the home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly so consider installing a detector in a central area in the your home, Witmer advised.
Four engines from South Santa Clara/CDF and one engine from the Gilroy Fire Department responded to the fire Monday about 11pm, and had the fire under control within five minutes.
According to National Fire Prevention Association statistics, space heaters are involved in 25 percent of home heating fires and account for 74 percent of the deaths. The leading cause of space heater fires is when flammable objects are left too close to the heater.
Keep combustibles one meter away from space heaters and always turn them off before bed, Witmer advised.
During cold snaps individuals will bring in additional heating methods – which are not always the safest.
When purchasing a space heater, room gas heater, portable electric heater or portable kerosene heater, be certain the product has been tested by an independent laboratory and approved for indoor use, Witmer said.
Chimneys are often used during the winter months and creosote from wood burning may build up inside. No more than .25 inches should build up inside the flue before cleaning by a licensed company.
“We had a little bit of a problem with chimney fires last year,” Witmer said.
In the span of one week fire crew responded to five chimney fires caused by a build up of combustible creosote.
“People just don’t think about it and it should be done annually,” he said.
Fire Prevention tips
– Make sure a space heater carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory, and be sure to have fixed space heaters installed by a qualified technician.
– Keep a 36-inch (1-meter) clearance between space heaters and anything that can burn.
– Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to bed.
-Have gas-fueled heating device installed with proper ventilation.
-Get wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors and all other
solid-fueled heating equipment inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned as often as inspections suggest. Use only wood that is properly seasoned to reduce
creosote build-up.
– Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.
– Test smoke alarms monthly and install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
