Crime & Safety

Gas Grills Spark 2 Fires in 3 Days

Westfield Fire Chief Daniel Kelly reminds residents to clean the grease traps under their grills.

The Westfield Fire Department responded to the 600 block of Kimball Avenue shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday after a propane gas grill caught fire on the deck of a single-family home. 

According to Chief Daniel Kelly, the fire, which spread to the deck and patio furniture, caused minor damage to the rear exterior wall of the residence.

The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes, Kelly said. No injuries were reported.

The blaze was the second in three days caused by a gas grill. Kelly said the department responded to the 900 block of Columbus Avenue Saturday afternoon after a propane grill caught fire in the rear of a single-family home. No injuries were reported.    

Kelly reminded residents that spiders often spin webs in the orifices of gas jets causing a backfire. He also advised grill owners to clean the grease traps under their grills as grease that collects in the drip pans can often catch fire.

On its recently-updated website, the fire department offers grilling safety tips. For more information, visit the website.


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