Firefighters issue warning after house fire in Lakeville

Firefighters are warning homeowners after a weekend fire.

According to the Lakeville Fire Department, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, a resident of 21 Highland Road discovered a fire at the rear of their home and dialed 911.

The 3 on-duty firefighters responded out in Engine 2 and Tanker 1. A recall of off-duty firefighters was initiated. Car 1 responded from home and arrived first on the scene to find fire spreading upward from the underside of a wooden porch.

Engine 1 and Engine 3 also responded to the scene. A handline was stretched from Engine 2 and the fire was quickly knocked down.
Firefighters entered the home and checked for extension but found none.

Hot ashes from a wood stove left near the porch were the cause of the fire.

LFD issued the following warning.

“As we enter the winter months, please be sure to dispose of hot ash properly. If possible, allow the ashes to cool in the stove/fireplace before removal. Always use a metal pail with a cover to remove ash. Cool the ash with water outdoors. Never dispose of ash near a structure or near combustibles. Assume ash will remain hot enough to start a fire for as many as 2 or 3 days.”