The fire department is reminding BBQ lovers to “use extra caution with outdoor fires and BBQ’s” after still-hot, discarded charcoal caused a backyard fire at a duplex Sunday afternoon.
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a report of a fire at 4449 Wood Duck Ave. at 3:48 p.m. Sunday, and followed a large column of dark smoke from a mile away to the scene.
Firefighters found an outdoor, detached storage shed completely engulfed in flames, hot enough to melt vinyl siding on one side of the duplex and to burn part of an exterior deck and roof structure on the other side. The fire had also spread to a wooden fence and nearby trees.
CCFR extinguished the flames quickly, the occupants were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, CCFR Fire Marshal Daniel Jager said in a statement online.
Jager estimated there was only about $3,000 worth of property damage, in part thanks to neighbors who helped fight the fire with water from garden hoses before CCFR arrived.
“The cause of the fire (was) determined to be most likely due to discarded charcoal that was used for a BBQ the night before,” Jager wrote. “… Capital City Fire Rescue wants to remind everyone to use extra caution with outdoor fires and BBQ’s. When you are done cooking, be sure the fire is completely out with the use of water. Place all charcoal in a metal container and use water to make sure any hot embers or coals are out.”
