Barbecue ignites a house fire on Pilgrim Street

Fire services responded to a structure fire on Pilgrim Street after a tenant in the building called to say a barbecue had ignited the siding at the back of the building.

At about 5:20 Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services arrived to find much of the back of the building involved in the fire as well as the attic above a porch, says Platoon Chief Damon Ferris.

Ferris says this is the second barbecue caused fire he's responded to in the past few weeks and had a few suggestions for people who are barbecuing and who want to confine their fires to the barbecue. 

"The barbecue should be at least eight feet from the house," he said. "Ten would be better."

Most newer propane tanks are equipped with a safety mechanism that will melt and vent the gas if pressure builds up but there is still a risk of explosion, he said.

But the safety mechanism will usually jettison the gas about ten feet and the heat causing pressure to build in the tank will almost always ignite that stream of propane gas.

"Most importantly," Ferris says, "Never leave a barbecue unattended."

If there is a problem with the equipment and it malfunctions the person barbecuing could return to a house on fire very quickly.

"If you're not watching it and the tank gets into it, you're best to leave it to us," he added.

The house fire on Pilgrim Street was pretty much wrapped up within the hour, Ferris said, but crews are still on the scene looking for possible hot spots and inspecting the building for damage and possible hazards left by the fire.

Ferris said about 60 percent of the back of the building was damaged by the fire and there may be more damage to wiring and plumbing in the walls that is not immediately apparent.

He said there was also some smoke damage inside the building.

Thick black smoke from burning siding and shingles was also evident from some distance away and the fire was reported by more than a few people.

Ferris also cautioned people using barbecues to follow the instructions in their barbecue manuals and inspect them every spring before using them.

He said to use a soapy solution on all the connections to check for gas leaks. 

(PHOTO: submitted by David Root shows smoke from the fire on Pilgrim Street late Tuesday afternoon.)