United Group Insurance

Creston Fire Dept. responds to a structure fire Wed. morning (11/20)

News

November 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Firefighters in Creston responded this (Wednesday) morning to a reported structure fire on Clover Avenue southwest of Creston, at 9:21-a.m. An investigation determined a pet had knocked over a space heater, which then caught the carpet on fire. The resident put the fire out with a garden hose, but when fire personnel used a thermal imager, they found hot spots in the wood underlayment beneath the carpet.

Creston firefighter uses a thermal imaging device to check for hot spots on a heater.

Firefighters ventilated the home and removed the damaged flooring. (Photos from the Creston FD Facebook page)

The CFD reminds residents and homeowners, that as colder weather sets in, you should please exercise caution when using space heaters.
Consumer Reports makes these recommendations:
  • Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
  • Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child’s room.
  • Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. A taller heater may need to be even farther away.
  • Don’t use a heater in a workshop or garage near flammable paints, gas cans, or matches.
  • Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
  • Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater because that can cause overheating.
  • Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.