By the Gazette-Times | Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 12:00 am
Two carports at a Corvallis house were damaged by fire late Sunday morning after discarded coals from a commercial smoker oven ignited combustibles.
The Corvallis Fire Department was conducting engine driver training in the area just after 11 a.m. when firefighters saw smoke coming out of the residence at 424 N.W. 10th St. The incident also was reported by the resident, David Takush.
The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes after three engines arrived. There were no injuries.
Fire investigators said the fire appeared to have been started by discarded coals that ignited a wooden sawhorse, spread to dry straw and compost and to the wooden carports.
"This time of year, it only takes a spark," Corvallis Fire Department spokesman Jim Patton said.
Patton said hot coals and ashes should be extinguished by dousing them with water until they are cold to the touch and, even then, they should be dumped in a non-combustible container and left to cool away from other material that could catch fire.