CLIFFORD – Minto Fire’s Clifford Station responded to report of a garage fire at a residence in Clifford around 9:30pm on Jan. 30.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming out of the roof of the structure, but occupants were out of the building and no injuries reported.
Palmerston and Harriston Stations also responded.
Careless smoking has been deemed the cause of the fire. There is no damage estimate as of yet.
Approximately 30 Minto firefighters attended the scene.
“Great effort and response by all stations as the adjacent shed and house were both saved with minimal damage to the exterior of each,” noted deputy chief Callise Loos in a press release.
In response to the incident, Minto Fire is reminding residents about the dangers of careless smoking and offering the following safety tips:
- use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside;
- never smoke in bed or when drowsy, intoxicated or medicated;
- keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and other smoking materials out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet;
- make sure lighters have child-resistant safety features;
- teach young children that lighters and matches are not toys, and not to touch them;
- never allow anyone to smoke if there is medical oxygen being used;
- use a deep, sturdy ashtray;
- don’t let ashtrays get so full hot ashes might spill out; and
- soak butts and ashes with water before throwing them in the garbage.
“Unfortunately, the place where we feel the safest – at home – is where most smoking-material structure fires, death and injuries occur,” Loos stated. “Smoking material fires are preventable.”
