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Embers from grill ignite dried leaves, set Edina home on fire

Edina, Minn., Oct. 31, 2008 -- Edina Fire Department officials believe hot embers from a charcoal grill made their way to a pile of leaves on Thursday afternoon, eventually igniting a portion of an Edina home’s siding.

A resident of the home located on the 5300 block of West 70th Street used twigs and newspaper to prepare the grill, and then went inside to get food on Oct. 30.  When he returned only a few minutes later, the resident encountered a large cloud of smoke coming from the deck. After calling 9-1-1, he unsuccessfully tried to douse the flames with a garden hose until the Fire Department arrived.

Edina’s Fire Department responded to the call and was assisted by Richfield and St. Louis Park. Upon arrival, crews found the fire on the deck extending up along the exterior siding. It was quickly extinguished and siding was removed to check for signs of fire extending into the house.  Although fire damage was confined to the home’s exterior, the attic received extensive smoke damage.

Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson reported that a lot of dry leaves were present on the deck, and that a spark or ember likely ignited a large pile of leaves, which then ignited the home’s cedar shake siding.  Other parts of the deck also contained remains of burnt leaves. According to Jenson, extreme caution should be used at all times when using an open flame like a charcoal grill on or near a wood deck.

“An open flame, whether from grilling, a recreational fire, smoking or candles has the potential to turn a wood deck into a pile of firewood, especially this time of year,” said Jenson. “Leaves should be swept from wood decks at all times and dead leaves and debris should be cleaned out from under the deck in order to avoid creating a potential fire hazard.”

For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call the Edina Fire Department at 952-826-0378.