Chief addresses uptick in Calgary house fires

Improper disposal of smoking material is the leading cause of outdoor fires in Calgary, and new numbers show the cost is mounting.

Fire chief Steve Dongworth says May 2018 was the busiest month for structure fires in the last five years, with a total of 46.

Out of 17 completed investigations, 10 were the result of that careless action.

Dongworth says using peat moss and similar planters is a disaster waiting to happen since cigarette butts can sit in them and smoulder for some time before they ignite.

“Cars that start outside a building are potentially much more dangerous for the occupants as indoor smoke alarms may not detect the outdoor fire until it is well underway,” he explained on Monday.

Dongworth adds homes burn much faster than they used to because of building materials, and petroleum-based contents inside.

In May alone, there was $8.5 million in property loses caused by fire, and that number is expected to increase as more investigations are completed.

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