Firefighters, home owner urge people to fireproof homes


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MILLCREEK — As Kirk Willey sifted through the blackened remains of his home, he searched for documents, pictures, film or anything else he can find.

Days after his home burned to the ground on April 16, officials said the fire that started at the back of the home is still under investigation.

But Willey believes he knows how it started.

"That oil we were using to finish the decks with, extremely flammable," he said.

Willey believes the rags used in the home improvement project spontaneously combusted.

From 2007 to 2011, U.S. municipal fire departments responded to about 160,910 fires each year that started after flammable or combustible liquids ignited, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

"I think there's a message here that needs to get out," Willey said.

Dave Ulibarri, an emergency preparedness specialist with Unified Fire, said oil soaked rags can spontaneously combustion.

Ulibarri demonstrated what might have been the demise of Willey's home by filling a bucket with oil-soaked rags in no heat and no sun. Five hours later, the rags were smoldering and smoke drifted from the can.

"Fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen in order to exist. And these (oil-soaked rags) can create all three themselves. There's a chemical reaction that causes the heat," Ulibarri said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency website lists several helpful tips for storing, using and of disposing of hazardous home materials. Some of those hazardous materials include automotive fluids, barbecue products, batteries, household cleaners, paint and thinners.

Hazardous materials in homes:
  • Automotive fluids
  • Barbecue products
  • Batteries
  • Health and beauty products
  • Home maintenance products
  • Household cleaners
  • Laundry products
  • Lawn and garden products
  • Medicines and medical supplies
  • Paints and thinners

The Salt Lake City Fire Department's website lists a few other household hazards that are less obvious: dust built up on floor heaters, electronics, sockets or poster strips can be problematic.

The website states, "should an electrical fire start, dust can act as kindling and help the fire grow. Dust can also clog electrical outlets or heater intake valves, eventually getting hot enough to combust."

Electrical fires can be particularly dangerous if they start in attics where electrical sparks can induce smoldering that goes undetected for several days.

"A lot of times homeowners are alerted to fires from bystanders who see smoke or flames from the outside of the structure," said Unified Fire Authority's Brian Anderton of attic fires.

Whenever remodeling or renovations are down, Anderton said a licensed professional should do the work.

"We see too many people trying to do their own work," he said. "Home electricians probably cause more problems than anybody else."

Electrical fires can also be prevented by inspecting the wiring, replacing frayed wires, replacing old appliances, avoid overloading circuits, upgrading circuit breakers and fixing problems immediately.

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Emilee Eagar

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