Firefighters encourage clean furnaces, air ducts as colder weather approaches
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With October being Fire Prevention Month and as colder weather moves in, Upper Burrell firefighters are urging homeowners to clean their furnaces and chimneys — and make sure their smoke detectors are in working order.
Firefighters put out a blaze earlier this week in the Lincoln Beach section of the township that they said started in the home’s furnace.
Chief Bryan Fitch said crews were dispatched early Tuesday, just after midnight, for reports of a fire in the 200 block of Johnson Boulevard.
Upon arrival, crews found smoke showing from all three floors. Fitch said the fire started in a furnace in the basement and extended into the walls and ceiling.
Two adults and four children were in the home at the time of the blaze and were able to evacuate safely, Fitch said. The Red Cross is assisting the family. No one was injured.
The house had working smoke detectors.
“It saved lives, I’ll tell you that,” Fitch said.
The home sustained minor smoke and water damage, as well as minor fire damage to the basement furnace, air duct and installation, Fitch said.
It took about 15 to 20 minutes to extinguish the fire, Fitch said.
In addition to Upper Burrell, first responders included Lower Burrell No. 1, New Kensington, Plum and Sardis fire companies, Fitch said.
He encouraged people to make sure their furnaces and air ducts are clean and that their smoke detectors are functioning.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires occur more in the winter months than any other season. Heating equipment is involved in one of six reported home fires.
“They can always reach out to their volunteer fire department if they need assistance with their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors,” he said.