Tuesday afternoon fire causes $30,000 damage
JANESVILLE—Two people were treated for smoke inhalation by Janesville Fire Department paramedics at the scene of a house fire Tuesday afternoon.
Wes Mayer and plumbing contractor Mel Stankewicz were treated but not transported to a local hospital after they tried to extinguish a fire at 4:30 p.m. that started in the bathroom of Mayer’s ranch-style house at 330 S. Lexington Drive, said Capt. Jody Stowers.
While Stankewicz was soldering a new faucet in the bathroom, sparks from his torch or hot solder dropped inside the wall and ignited old tar paper, he said.
“They tried to extinguish it but didn’t have any water. It was shut off. Fire to spread up the joists, burned some ceiling rafters and spread into the attic and damaged some wiring,’’ Stowers said.
Damage was estimated at $30,000, Stowers said.
Mayer’s wife Barb also was home, but not hurt, he said.
Aug 5, 2009 at 4:32 p.m.
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This should help:
Are You Disaster Ready? (hurricane, tornado, earthquake, flood, fire, etc.)
What do you expect in case of an insured loss?
http://www.disasterprepared.net/monitor....
Aug 5, 2009 at 11:14 a.m.
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When your last name has "wic" in it, you were born to burn something....
Aug 5, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
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An extinguisher might have been useless if it were inside the wall. It also doesn't say whether they were using asbestos fabric to protect the structure during the soldering -- another line of defense.
Aug 5, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.
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Rule #2...Have plumber's liability insurance
Aug 5, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
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And Rule #1 is wear a belt? :)
Aug 5, 2009 at 8:05 a.m.
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Plumber's Rule #3 - Have fire extinguisher near-by when soldering.
Aug 5, 2009 at 6:16 a.m.
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That would be a plumber bummer...
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