Safety first: Grill causes $3.3 million in damage
FITCHBURG, Wis. (AP) — Madison-area firefighters think they know what started a major apartment fire that caused an estimated $3.3 million in damages.
Fitchburg authorities believe someone put a hot charcoal grill in an outdoor storage shed on a second-floor balcony, violating the first rule of common sense: Hot items cause fires.
Residents arriving home from fireworks shows on Friday said they heard an explosion about midnight. They reported seeing flames coming from the balcony.
Fifty-two-year-old resident Darrell Reynolds says people ran through the building banging on doors and saying the fire was no false alarm. The visually impaired man says he grabbed his shoes and got out.
An American Red Cross spokesman says about 40 people have been affected, most of whom lack renter’s insurance. The apartment building has 26 units.
Jul 7, 2008 at 10:52 p.m.
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Personally, I feel sorry for the kid. I figure he was trying to do the right thing and made a terrible choice. If it wasn't intentional, then I don't think he should be charged.
Jul 7, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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Be aware that the hot grill isn't always the concern. It's the glowing coals left in the grill or debris floating out of the grill that starts the fires.
Jul 7, 2008 at 4:11 p.m.
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I'm sure the investigation will show whether the kid was acting on his own, or if the parents should be held criminally responsible in any way.
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What's certain is the lawsuits that will hold them civilly responsible. Every one of the individuals affected has a tort, and of course the owners of the building as well.
Jul 7, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.
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happycamper, I guess it depends on the type of grill, but the little portable weber grill I used to have in my 2nd story apartment (against the law apparently) had a built-in stand such that the hot metal part with the coals didn't touch the ground. Even though the legs were made of metal too, they never got hot to the touch, so it would not have mattered if it was sitting on a wood deck or not, unless it tipped over. Again, I never left it unattended.
Jul 7, 2008 at 2:39 p.m.
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Wood decks and fire (or heat from grills) do not mix! If you live in a second floor apartment with a deck, under wisconsin law, no grills of any kind are allowed. It's all common sense, something Americans are beginning to lack.
Jul 7, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.
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The Madison news station said they were considering charges against the 14 yr. old. My problem with that is, was he only doing what he was told by his parents?
Jul 7, 2008 at 11:32 a.m.
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Did something get put on top of the grill in storage? Even if the coals were still glowing I'd find it hard to believe that it would cause a fire unless something flamable was touching the metal portion. Still, I would never think to put a hot grill out of sight. Someone said the boy was 14... did his parents even know he was putting away the grill?
Jul 7, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
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The news also reported last night that the majority of the residents did not have renter's insurance. It's cheap but often overlooked.
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PS--call1...you've never been guilty of being stupid or doing something stupid?
Jul 7, 2008 at 10:32 a.m.
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The person was only 14. If you want to blame someone, blame the parents.
Jul 7, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
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What an idiot! I sometimes think "its too bad the our justice system doesn't cover being stupid." But then again, who decides the fine line between stupid and not stupid? This would be an easy one though... Careless, must have been drinking, Stupid.
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