News

Actions

Fire pit ashes cause house fire in Virginia Beach

Posted at 2:44 PM, Oct 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-22 14:48:12-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Beach Fire Department responded to a residential fire caused by the remnants of a fire pit Monday.

Crews responded just after noon to a call for help in the 800 block of Saint Martin Drive. When they arrived, heavy smoke and flames were reported from the rear right side of a home.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire before it could extend inside the home, limiting the damage to the siding and a portion of the house’s right wall.

The homeowner told firefighters that he had discarded ashes from a fire pit used the night before into a plastic trashcan on that side of the house.

A natural gas meter was also located in the same spot, and although the meter was damaged, there was no gas leak and no ignition of natural gas.

There were no injures reported.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department, in a release following the fire, reminds citizens to use caution when disposing of ashes. Make sure all ashes are completely out before disposing of them, and make sure to dispose of them in a non-combustible container. Experts recommend waiting 72 hours before disposing of ashes.