How barbecuing in the backyard caused nearly $300,000 in damages to this Fresno home
A house in Fresno in the area west of Highway 99 was significantly damaged Wednesday after a barbecue grill was left unattended with a fire still burning inside.
The incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. on the 2600 block of North Western Avenue, near the intersection of Polk and Clinton avenues.
Fresno Fire Battalion Chief Tim Fulmer said a fire in the backyard started after a barbecue grill was left unattended after cooking had been completed but with a propane tank still on.
A grease fire eventually ignited with flames shooting up and spreading to the attic of the house.
Fulmer estimated the house had approximately $250,000-$300,000 in damages.
Fresno Fire needed 10 crews to help combat the fire with flames difficult to put out because they were in hard-to-reach areas inside the attic, Fulmer said.
“This is the time summer is coming, people are going to barbecue,” Fulmer said. “One of the things we need to be careful of is make sure that fire is out. If you’re using propane, make sure you shut your propane off.
“The practice of letting your barbecue burn off is a really bad practice. What that does is create a grease fire in your barbecue (pit) and it (can) get up in your house.”
Fulmer said the fire spread to about 75% of the attic.
Two people were inside the house at the time of the fire and managed to escape with no injury.
Firefighters did help rescue a dog that had been inside the home when the fire occurred. The dog also avoided serious injury.
Apartment fire
An apartment on the 400 block of South Baker avenue caught on fire, and displaced nine people, 10 children and two dogs.
No injuries were reported in the two-alarm fire.
Among those displaced was an infant and a pregnant mom.
Cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Crews quickly took out baby furniture and diapers from the unit.
The fire started on the second floor and was getting ready to block the exit to the other residents.
Crews quickly responded and extinguished the fire.
This story was originally published May 18, 2022 at 11:21 PM.