Glidden’s Fire Chief is reminding citizens to heat their homes safely after a fire call early New Year’s morning. The page came in at approximately 1:30 a.m. about a half mile north of Highway 30 on Walnut Street. Fire Chief, Tom Weber, says the call stemmed from a chimney fire at a home there. He adds there were no visible flames when fire crews arrived, but they did remain nearby to monitor for flare ups.
Temperatures are expected to remain extremely cold until at least the weekend, and many people are using different methods than usual, like space heaters or fireplaces, to keep their homes warm in the frigid weather. Weber says these means of heat are used less frequently and are often not properly checked before use.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly half of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February with one out of seven caused by heating equipment. They recommend chimneys be cleaned at least every year and keep combustibles at more than three feet away from heat sources. Winter fires are generally more hazardous as cold weather often compounds the danger as it takes longer for crews to respond and ice forms while battling the blaze.
