Firefighters offer winter safety tips following fires

By Alyvia Covert

The Ithaca Voice

 

Tompkins County has seen several fires break out in the past two weeks, and it is not a coincidence that they have appeared along with a cold snap in the area, according to local firefighters.

More than five fires have been reported within the county in the past two weeks, including one residential fire in Newfield on Wednesday which reportedly resulted in two fatalities. While law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed the fatalities, a family member at the scene confirmed to The Voice that two people had died as a result of the blaze.

The Ithaca Fire Department has responded to at least three fires in the past week that were related to furnace malfunction, said Lieutenant Tom Basher at the Ithaca Fire Department.

“Some of the leading causes of fires are home heating, and especially with this recent cold snap, furnaces are working in overdrive,” Basher said.
A wind chill advisory was issued throughout the county on Thursday, predicting wind chill to get as low as -20 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are not expected to rise until after the new year. With temperatures dropping, Basher said it is more likely for people to start heating their homes with additional sources such as space heaters.

Basher said most of the fires in Ithaca have been a result of furnace malfunction.

“It can be a higher risk in the cold months because people are heating their homes,” said Lieutenant Dan Scherer at the Trumansburg Fire Department. “If heating mechanisms are not maintained properly, they definitely cause a higher risk of fire.”

Furnace maintenance, especially during the cold months, is imperative to winter safety while heating homes, Basher said. Areas surrounding home furnaces should be kept clear, especially of any flammable or combustible substances or items.

 

 

For more on this story visit the Ithaca Voice website at ithacavoice.com/2017/12/local-firefighters-offer-winter-heating-tips-following-several-recent-fires-tompkins-county/