BBQ destroyed following fire. RMWB Supplied Image
Fire Marshal urges barbecue safety after weekend fire
Fort McMurray, AB –– Fire Marshal Nick Brenner is reminding residents to take precautions while grilling after a weekend fire destroyed a barbecue and damaged a patio at an Eagle Ridge apartment complex.
On the afternoon of Sunday, March 30, Fort McMurray firefighters responded to a 911 call about a barbecue fire on the balcony of a Sandpiper Drive apartment unit. Residents attempted to extinguish the flames with a bucket of water, but the fire continued to spread. Firefighters quickly put out the blaze using a fire extinguisher.
“Never put water on a grease fire. It’s dangerous. It can quickly make the fire worse,” said Brenner.
Fire investigators determined the fire was caused by a buildup of grease that ignited and spread to a barbecue cover and a bag of charcoal stored underneath the grill.
With warmer temperatures in the forecast, Brenner is urging residents to follow safety measures when using barbecues. Unattended cooking remains a leading cause of fires in Wood Buffalo.
To reduce fire risks, the Fire Marshal recommends using barbecues only outdoors and never in a garage, tent, or enclosed space. Grills should be cleaned regularly to remove grease buildup from trays and grates and placed away from siding, deck railings, and overhanging branches. A lit barbecue should never be left unattended, and children and pets should be kept at least one metre away from the barbecue area.
As grilling season begins, the Fire Marshal reminds everyone to take precautions to prevent dangerous and costly fires.
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