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An alert Georgetown Police Officer on daytime patrol alerted the Fire Department recently of a burned mattress and box springs sitting next to a dumpster at the Trestle Way complex. Responding were Car 1 (Chief Beardsley), Car 3 (Deputy Moyer of Fire Prevention) and Engine 1. Arriving fire units found a damaged mattress and box spring set that came from one of the local apartments. The investigation revealed an unfortunate but common practice, the placing of combustible materials too close to heating appliances, and in this
case and electric wall heater. Chief Beardsley says, people are unaware of the intense heat put out by heating devices and must keep combustible materials a safe distance away. As Chief Beardsley describes it, "Often times you won't see an immediate effect of something catching fire, the process occurs over a period of time." What takes place is the material dries out and over time the chemical composition of the material changes and combustion occurs." We were extremely lucky in this case that nobody was injured, or worse, from this happening." Residents are asked to treat any heat producing appliance with respect and care. Read the manufactures instructions on usage and never, ever block the units from getting adequate air flow around the device. If you should have a question about the heating appliances in your home, apartment or business you're asked to call the Fire Department at 978-352-5757 and we can have
someone stop by and take a look.
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