Warning: Dispose of Ashes Properly

A New Canaan family likely learned their lesson Sunday after improperly disposing of ashes from their fireplace. 

They'd placed a plastic trash can full of still-smouldering ashes on the deck of their home on Stonehenge Drive and the trash can caught fire. Fortunately they were able to douse it with water and called the Fire Department who made sure it was out before the fire damaged the house, but it did leave a burn mark on the deck.  

In another recent case in Fairfield County, ashes ignited and destroyed an outdoor shed; the fire had started to burn up the outside of that house before it was discovered.

Unfortunately, Fire Marshall Fred Baker says this is not an uncommon experience. 

"Over my career I have seen countless fires caused by well-intended homeowners not realizing that these ashes can conceal hot embers for as long a four days after a fire has burned!," he said in a press release. "In some cases homeowners have been lucky but the trash hauler has not. There have also been many occurrences of hot ashes igniting garbage trucks as they drive down the road."

Baker says the best way to deal with ashes is to leave them in the fireplace. If you must dispose of ashes put them in a metal bucket with a lid and don't leave the bucket on a combustible surface. 

He's also reminding homeowners to be sure to they have working smoke detectors throughout their home. 

If you have questions about how many or proper locations for detectors please call the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office at 203-594-3030