Crime & Safety
Unattended Belmont BBQ Starts Garage Fire
This is the second barbeque grill to start a fire this summer. Belmont fire officials remind residents not to leave grills unattended and be sure coals are completely out.
An unattended barbeque started a fire that damaged a garage in the 1500 block of Sixth Avenue early Sunday morning in Belmont. According to Belmont police spokesperson Capt. Pat Halleran, the barbeque had been used the night before and had been left unattended after use.
Halleran said that on Sunday at about 6:10 a.m., Belmont Fire Department units responded to a report of a structure fire on Sixth Avenue. The fire was discovered by the occupant of the house who called 9-1-1. Upon arrival, firefighters found the detached garage to the home was on fire.
Belmont police, who arrived shortly before fire units, evacuated other occupants of the house. There were no injuries reported.
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Belmont fire units were assisted by units from the San Mateo, Foster City and the Redwood City/San Carlos Fire departments. The fire was confined to the detached garage and did not spread to the adjacent residence.
Halleran said this is the second fire this summer in Belmont, linked to an unattended barbeque. The previous fire was in May, when coals from an unattended barbeque ignited a deck.
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"As we enter the 4th of July holiday, the Belmont Fire Department would like to remind residents that a responsible adult should stay with a barbeque while in use and to make sure the barbeque is turned off or coals have cooled before leaving it unattended," said Halleran.
Here are a few tips regarding barbeque safety:
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Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the tubes where the air and gas mix are not blocked.
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Do not overfill the propane tank.
Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can
flashback up into the container and explode.
Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
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Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.
Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.
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