STOW, Mass. — Check out this grill and keep a fire extinguisher nearby as you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend cookout.
That’s the message from local firefighters who offered safety tips Sunday to residents as they enjoy holiday weekend barbecues at home.
Saturday night at 7:40 p.m., Stow firefighters responded to a report of an active grill fire outside a home at 11 Hale Road that had spread to a shed and was approaching to a nearby home, Stow Fire Chief John Benoit said.
When firefighters arrived, they found a fire that the homeowners extinguished with a fire extinguisher and nearby garden hoses. Firefighters cooled the hot spots and extinguished the remaining fire, clearing the scene an hour later.
The homeowners’ use of fire extinguishers at Saturday’s grill fire helped limit the damage, which Benoit estimated at about $5,000. No injuries were reported.
In Duxbury, firefighters tweeted safety tips for cooking and grilling Sunday as people flocked outdoors to enjoy the nice weather and the holiday weekend.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following safety tips:
Never leave the grill unattended. Keep the grill clean by removing grease or grease build-up from the grills and trays below the grill. Always make sure the lid of the gas grill is open before lighting it. Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. the hearth, deck rails and outside under the eaves and overhanging branches Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area
In Stow, the cause of Saturday’s grill fire was accidental, Benoit said.
He urged local residents to keep fire extinguishers nearby in case a grill fire gets out of control.
“Extinguishers are inexpensive and anyone can use them,” Benoit said. “Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, pull the trigger and sweep back and forth.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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