RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The cold weather has come with some unfortunate consequences, including an increase in fires.
Rutherford County Fire Rescue responded to five fire calls in just 72 hours over the weekend. Larry Farley, Rutherford County Fire Rescue chief, attributed the increase to a dip in temperatures.
“When [temperatures] drop off like that, people start doing extra heating to keep their houses warm,” Farley said.
They agency was called to five fires across Rutherford County over the span of three days. The property damage included two houses, a shop, a carport and vehicles.
Farley said there are several reasons fires ignite more often in the winter, including related to how houses get heated.
“One of the main things that people need to do every year is have a chimney sweep clean their fireplaces,” Farley said. “If they burn wood that’s not seasoned, the sap in the wood will stick to the interior of that chimney. Then, once it gets super heated, it can ignite.”
Farley also recommended making sure your smoke detector is up-to-date and functional. Area fire departments sometimes have programs to help you check and make sure it’s updated.
