Hot Ashes Spark Fire At Fair Oaks Home

FAIR OAKS, Calif. (CBS13) ― The Sacramento Metro Fire Department said improperly disposed ashes from a fireplace led to a structure fire in Fair Oaks on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters arrived at the 4700 block of Paula Way at about 10:45 a.m. to find that a fire in a garbage can had spread to a home.

Crews contained the fire within a few minutes, but not before it caused at least $10,000 in damage.

The fire was caused by fireplace ashes that were left in an open metal container for three days before being discarded into a plastic county garbage can.

Metro Fire officials say the proper method of disposing of hot ashes involves:

- Putting the hot ashes in a covered metal container that is moved away from the side of the home.
- Flooding the ashes with water several days later and replacing the lid.
- Waiting until the following day to dispose of the ashes.

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