Fire: Carmichael Blaze Sparked by Improperly Disposed Ashes

The following is a news release from the Sacramento Metro Fire Department: 

At approximately 12:40 [Monday] morning, Metro Fire crews responded to a home at 3100 Edgehill Lane in Carmichael and found a well-involved garage fire with extension into the home. The elderly couple woke to smoke entering the house through the garage door and when they went to investigate found the fire. They were able to evacuate safely.

Twenty-six firefighters engaged in fire attack, searching, ventilating, salvage and overhaul. Crews were able to contain the fire to the garage and several interior rooms. Firefighting efforts saved roughly $200,000 in personal property. The combined value of the garage and vehicle damage is estimated at $300,000.

Fortunately, there were no injuries to either the occupants or firefighters in the blaze.

Metro Fire Investigation Unit determined that the cause of the fire was improperly disposed of ashes. The occupant had cleaned out her wood burning stove and placed them in their trash can too close to the home.

Metro Fire reminds residents when they clean out their fireplace or wood burning stove to place the ashes in a metal can with a lid and to be sure the coals are completely our before they dump them in the trash can.