Charcoal Discarded Too Soon Causes Small Fire; Damage Averted
43.132474, -89.352177
Incident Details
After grilling on Wednesday, a Blackbird Lane resident thought it was safe to discard his spent charcoal on Thursday. But by that afternoon, firefighters were at his doorstep due to a fire that ignited inside the trash can.
The trash can was stored outside but threatened the mobile home next to it. The owner grabbed a garden hose and had most of the fire extinguished before Medic 10 and Engine 10 arrived. Firefighters used their water can extinguisher to soak the remaining contents.
Charcoal can re-ignite up to 72 hours after use and should not be disposed of until after that time. Until then, coals should be kept in the grill or stored in a non-combustible (i.e. metal, concrete) receptacle.
Links
- Discarded Coals Ignite A Fire Outside Northside Home (5.19.17)
- Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips
- The Madison Fire Department's Guide To Grilling
Images
