Chester County Fire Marshal's Office Monthly Report-March 2015

March 2015 Investigations/Inspections: March: YTD: Intentional 1 2 Unintentional 12 52 Failure of Equipt or Heat Source 1 2 Act of Nature 0 0 Natural 0 0 Cause Under Investigation 1 3 Undetermined after Investigation 1 5 Total: 16 64 Active Arson Cases 0 0 Fire Inspections Completed 16 64 Juvenile Fire Starters Courses Held 1 1 Fire Services Casualties:      Fatal 0 0      Injuries 0 9 Civilian Casualties:      Fatal 0 1      Injuries 4 12 Property Type: March March Property Loss: Assembly 0 $0 Educational 0 $0 Healthcare, Dentention, Correction 0 $0 Residential 14 $778,350 Mercantile, Business 0 $0 Industrial, Utility, Defense, Agricutural, Mining 0 $0 Manufacturing and Processing 0 $0 Storage 2 $550,000 Outside or Special Property 0 $0 Other 0 $0 Total: 16 $1,328,350 Property Type: YTD: YTD                    Property Loss Assembly 1 $1,000 Educational 0 $0 Healthcare, Dentention, Correction 0 $0 Residential 52 $4,836,200 Mercantile, Business 4 $400,000 Industrial, Utility, Defense, Agricutural, Mining 0 $0 Manufacturing and Processing 0 $0 Storage 3 $552,500 Outside or Special Property 3 $8,000 Other 1 $150,000 Total: 64 $5,947,700

With the approaching warmer weather, The Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office urges residents to be careful while cleaning up their yards after the very long Winter. Check with your local municipality before you burn any debris. Burning outside of any type (with the exception of cooking devices) is forbidden in many areas while other areas have restrictions and you must obtain a permit BEFORE any burning is started. If you are uncertain of your local laws, contact your municipality.                                                                                                                                                              VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER Fireplace and woodstove ashes when removed should be discarded  in a metal container with a lid and placed outside away from the home and any combustible materials. Never put ashes in a paper / plastic bag, cardboard box, or combustible container. Never dispose of ashes in your plastic trash container. Never place discarded ashes in a container on combustible material such as wood or composite deck, mulched area, or in a building including a garage. Fireplace ashes may contain HOT EMBERS for many days after the flames are out. There are numerous destructive house fires caused by improper disposal of fireplace and wood stove ashes every year.