As the weather warms and school lets out, backyard summer BBQ’s go into full swing. Without proper safety precautions however, your gas or propane grill can become a threat to your home and family.
We recently responded to a fire in Portland Oregon that was caused by an unattended BBQ grill. The fire started on the backside and deck of the home and quickly moved up to the roof line and into the attic space. Thankfully neighbors observed the fire and rushed over to evacuate the unaware residents and moved them to safety. It took firefighters 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control where they 
continued to extinguish hot spots hours later.
Once we got the call, our team rushed to the scene to help secure the property. After we ensured that the owners were safe and they collected their belongings, we then transported them to their interim housing for the duration of their restoration. Fire clean up is a many-faceted thing In addition to repairing the structural destruction caused by the blaze, our team will address smoke damage, acidic residue, water from the fire fighting efforts, and odor removal.
Unfortunately this is not an uncommon occurrence; 8,800 homes a year are damaged by fires caused by home grills. Protect yours with these simple tips.
- Charcoal and gas grills should only be used outdoors
- Grills should be placed well away from homes, decks, overhanging branches and shrubbery
- Keep children and pets away from grills
- Never leave your grill unattended
- Remove grease from grill and in the trays below to avoid flare-ups
- Check connections on your gas grill regularly for leaks
- Never use any flammable liquids other than designated charcoal starter fluid to the fire
- Only dispose of ashes in a metal container after they are completely cooled
*Photo courtesy of OregonLive.
