Candle causes early-morning fire
An early morning house fire at 77 Law Court in Logan last week was caused by a candle left unattended fire officials have reported. The tenants were not at home when the fire was reported to the Logan City Emergency 9-1-1 Dispatch Center at 1:51 am. The fire, which caused approximately $20,000 damage to the structure and $4,000 damage to contents, was quickly knocked down by Logan City firefighters who were on scene three minutes after their dispatch. According to firefighters, there was no working smoke detector in the house.
The fire originated in the front room of the house, but caused extensive heat and smoke damage throughout the interior. A primary and secondary search of the house by firefighters revealed there were no victims in the fire and no firefighters were injured fighting the fire.
Once the fire was controlled, a joint fire investigation team from the Logan City Fire and Police Departments was summoned to the scene. Their investigation concluded the fire was accidental, having been caused by an unattended candle left on the back of a couch in the front living room. The fire is the second serious fire in Logan City within the past 12 months caused by an unattended candle. Additionally, the fatal fire in Smithfield earlier this year, in which a 12 year old girl died, was also caused by an unattended candle.
According to Logan Fire Chief Mark Meaker, nationally, there has been a dramatic increase in serious structure fires caused by unattended candles over the last several years. Meaker said that data recently released by the National Fire Protection Association indicates that the number of candle caused structure fires have tripled over the last decade. He attributed the rapid increase to the reemergence of the use of aromatic and decorative candles in the residential environment.
“The use of aromatic candles in the home environment introduces a new dimension of risk that must be guarded against to prevent a disaster,” Meaker said in response to the latest fire. “Candles can be used safely in a home, but only if the occupant is mindful to take special precautions and have a working smoke detector, which was not the case in this fire.” The fire chief emphasized that candles should never be left unattended, must be placed on a firm non-combustible surface, and kept away from materials that can catch fire such as curtains.
Meaker said the candles should not be used in homes where small children may access them, nor should they be used late in the evening when occupants may fall asleep with the candle still burning. The chief also strongly emphasized the necessity of having working smoke detectors in all residential settings. An apartment fire in Logan which killed a pregnant mother and two of her small children on the same day as the Smithfield fatal fire, did not have a working smoke detector as well.
The Logan City Fire Department administers a free smoke detector program for the elderly, the disabled, or the economically disadvantaged. According to Meaker, Cache Valley or Logan City residents may obtain a free smoke detector by stopping by the fire station at 76 East, 200 North or calling 716-9515. Installation assistance is also available for those needing it, Meaker said.
A total of five units and 13 personnel from the Logan Fire Department responded to the scene.
Candles of any kind are against Housing regulations at USU.