Dublin, East Dublin home fires linked to falling temps

Local officials are urging residents to use caution when heating their homes with space heaters and fireplaces after two homes were heavily damaged by fire Saturday. 

With temperatures dipping into the 30s overnight, Dublin firefighters responded to a 1:50 a.m. fire on Lassiter Drive that was blamed on space heaters. The family discovered the fire and no one was injured, but the home was a “total loss,” said Dublin Fire Chief Matthew Cutler.

“The temperatures are staring to drop and people are trying to stay warm. We’re just encouraging people to be careful,” Cutler said.

“We understand not everyone has central heat in their homes. They were warming their house with space heaters. Drop cords and extension cords are very dangerous. (Space heaters) need to be plugged directly into the outlet and not be near anything that can start a fire. Those little space heaters still pull a lot of electricity.”

Laurens County firefighters worked two structure fires Saturday, both causing extensive damage and one on Blackbird Lane in East Dublin that was blamed on an improperly vented chimney. No one was injured.

“They were trying to stay warm, and they set a fire in the fireplace,” said Laurens County Fire Chief Josh McCard. “They had had a roof put on, and the chimney had not been vented through the tin.

“This is the time that fires start to ramp up. People need to be cautious when using their fireplace. Check the chimney, and make sure that it’s been vented to the outside and that it’s been cleaned.”

McCard reminded residents to also change the batteries in their smoke alarm, which is often done when time either springs forward or falls back, which is Nov. 3 this year. Those who don’t have a smoke alarm can get one for free from either fire department.

“Both the city and the county fire departments have smoke alarms at no cost, and we’ll install them,” said Cutler. “We just want  to make sure people stay safe.”

“We’ll be happy to help someone out,” said McCard.

For more information, call the city fire department at 277-5030 or the county at 277-2911.

McCard said county firefighters also responded Saturday to several grass fires on U.S. 80 East that started from debris piles “that got out of control” and another grass fire sparked by someone pulling a smoker down Lovett Farm Road.