The U.S. Fire Administration and FEMA report that during winter months structure fires increase, although the total fires for a variety of reasons decrease. A substantial portion of the structure fire increase is caused by heating fires. Colder temperatures result in longer operating time for heating equipment and there is more opportunity for that equipment to cause a fire. Each year more than a half million winter fires cause $3 billion in property loss, 1,900 deaths and nearly 8,000 injuries.
Captain John Powell of The Warsaw Fire Protection District (WFPD) was on duty February 12 when a house on Jackson Street near the Warsaw Laundromat caught on fire. He stated that the page came at about 2:15 AM and flames were already on the roof when they arrived at the scene.
“We had everything contained in two hours, and there were no rekindles of any kind,” said Captain Powell. “We responded with two engines and roughly 10 firefighters. All the right people were there. Firemen don’t determine causes of fires, that is the responsibility of fire marshals. But this fire did appear to have been electrical. We also responded to a structure fire recently at 31495 Chance Avenue, at 10:16 PM in White Branch. Normally we have more fires than this.”
The local Salvation Army steps in to help people displaced from their homes due to fires. Terri Watson with the local Salvation Army said that they provide a place to stay for the night after a fire and get clothing, blankets, socks, underwear and towels for those who have lost their belongings.
“Sometimes it takes 48 to 72 hours for initial insurance funds to arrive to help victims,” said Watson. “The Red Cross helps with hotels. In one case family members were willing to take in their mother after a fire, but she couldn’t walk up the stairs at her son’s house and was put in a hotel for a week. We try to help with specific things that victims need. One person needed dishes and clothes. We have one man who lost his home to a fire a year ago and is still homeless, so we still help him as he tries to get back to normal. If you don’t have insurance or family, it is hard. Finding housing in Benton County is unheard of. However, the Lakes Inn, behind Sonic in Warsaw, is amazing to work with and others have helped too.”
Watson said that Lisa’s Day Care in Lincoln and its children make emergency kits with blankets, gloves, pen and notebook and a scripture in them. She said that Benton County is so generous.
State Farm’s Suzie Broderson said that her insurance business hasn’t had a fire claim since last spring when there were two house fires. She said that most of the time there is a fire it is electrical and sometimes is from burning leaves that get out of control. She said there are not a lot of chimney fires.
Assistant Fire Chief of WFPD, Terry Marshall, said that he wanted to remind everyone to be careful with space heaters and use them properly during this cold weather.
