Recent bad weather that has hit much of the country has left many, especially New Englanders, digging their way out of the snow. But for one man, a “brilliant” idea of getting the job done quickly led to setting their house on fire.
The man, who lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was trying to clear the snow from around his back porch by using a blowtorch that was connected to a 20-pound cylinder of propane. Instead of just clearing the snow, he set the house on fire when the vinyl siding caught fire. The flames quickly spread, damaging apartments in the home on both the second and third floors. The house sustained damage not only to those apartments, but also to the wiring and the structure of the house. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the police decided not to press charges.
I am still shaking my head over this story. What on earth was the man thinking, trying to melt snow with a blowtorch near a home? I mean, come on! Very hot uncontrolled fire plus house equals no more house, right? I’m sure the 25 firefighters that had to put out this fire would agree with me.
There are much better ways to clear snow, from the tried and true shoveling, to snow-blowers and even salt or sand. Trying to save a little labor cost this man his house and his tenants their homes right for the holidays.
Please take proper safety precautions around your home this holiday season and urge your neighbors to do the same. I wonder if there was anyone out there watching this man setting up his torch that might have stepped in to prevent the accident.
Now it is true that people do use blowtorches or heat devices to melt snow. First of all, this is expending a lot of energy and resources to melt a little snow. Second of all, if it is done, it should be done by someone with experience and far away from a house or other wooden structure.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now managing relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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