By Eugene Driscoll
The News-Times, Danbury, Conn.
BROOKFIELD, Conn. — Area fire marshals are concerned they will see a spike in house fires this winter as more people rely on alternative energy sources for heat.
Fire officials believe a recession coupled with high heating costs will cause people to buy wood-burning stoves and other heating devices.
Wood is less expensive than heating oil but, by law, new stoves installed in single-family homes must be examined by building inspectors.
“It is a simple permit that insures the proper code install. It is a very good idea to have this permit, because basically you’re dealing with fire in a box,” said Sean Hearty, director of the Danbury Permit Center.
A permit for a wood burning stove costs $55 in Danbury.
Hearty’s office has seen an uptick in permits to use alternative fuel sources -- wood, pellets and coal, for example.
Wayne Gravius, the fire marshal in Brookfield, understands that people want to save a few bucks, but he’s worried they’ll take shortcuts on safety.
“People are trying to save money, and there are a lot of people who don’t know how to burn wood stoves the proper way,” he said. “They get a buildup of creosote and then it lights.”
Creosote is a gummy, highly combustible by-product of burning wood that causes many chimney fires.
Copyright 2008, The News-Times (Danbury, Connecticut)