‘It could have been much worse’: DPW spots fire on porch of Sussex County home, officials issue safety reminder on fireplace ash disposal
ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – Quick-thinking personnel from the Andover Township Department of Public Works (DPW) helped prevent a potentially devastating fire on a porch in Andover Township.
On Dec. 27, at around 10:00 a.m., DPW workers observed a fire on the porch of a residence and immediately alerted the Andover Township 911 Center. Firefighters from the Andover Township Fire Department and Andover Borough Fire Department responded to the scene, according to the Andover Township Police Department.
“Thanks to the fast action of the DPW personnel, the items on fire, including a chair and other objects, were quickly removed from the deck, and the fire was extinguished using a shovel and snow,” police said.
“Had it not been for the swift actions of the DPW team, the situation could have turned much worse,” police said.
Andover Township Police Department is praising their efforts and highlighting the importance of safety precautions in preventing fires.
The incident serves as a strong reminder about the proper disposal of fireplace ashes. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety and the Forest Fire Service recommend the following steps for safely discarding fireplace or wood stove ashes:
- Use a large metal trowel or pan to scoop ashes from the fireplace. If needed, use fireplace tongs to lift larger pieces.
- Place the ashes in a metal bucket filled with water and stir to fully submerge them. Let them sit for about 10 minutes.
- Afterward, pour out the water and dispose of the ashes in your garden or lawn, as they act as a natural fertilizer.
“Please do not use any other container for your ashes other than a metal container,” police said.
