Surry County Sees Rise in Structure Fires

SURRY COUNTY – County officials have reported an increase of more than 50 percent in structure fires compared to previous years.

From Nov. 1, 2011, to Jan. 4, 2012, 498 structure fires have been reported. This figure compares to 295 during the same period in 2010-11, and 297 in 2009-10.

According to Jonathan Bledsoe, director of the county 911 Communications Center, a structure fire can mean anything from a house or barn fire to simply smoke in the house. Each time a structure fire is reported, a minimum of three nearby fire departments are alerted.

While the amount of structure fires has increased in Surry County, Mount Airy Fire Chief Zane Poindexter said things have remained relatively the same in the city. However, he was quick to note that could change, seeing the amount of fires that have happened this week alone.

Since the start of 2012, two major house fires have occurred. As of last Nov. 4, a total of seven structure fires have been investigated, compared to six in the same time period for ‘10-11 and ‘09-10.

During difficult economic times, many individuals are seeking alternate means of heating their home. Although temperatures are higher than in previous years, so is the cost of oil.

“Oil has gone up dramatically,” said Tom Dunn. “The cost of heating your home has gone up dramatically, too.

“A lot of people can’t afford to get $100 worth of fuel oil anymore.”

Some folks have turned to electric space heaters, accidentally plugging too many items into an outlet. As a result, the circuits in their house become overloaded.

“I can’t say all of them [fires] are related to that,” said Surry County Fire Marshal Doug Jones. “But it’s sort of our common denominator.”

“If you’re using electric heat, and the circuit breaker pops, don’t just keep turning it back on again,” said Dunn. “If you’re using an older home, be really careful. If you feel wires getting warm, find another outlet or another circuit to use.”

Many individuals also have turned to their chimney for heat, said Poindexter. Inactive during spring and summer months, it can harbor the oily residue creosote, while air gaps and loosened bricks can develop.

For chimney maintenance, Poindexter recalled his father climbing onto their roof, putting a jacket around a piece of wooden trim, and moving the item up and down the chimney as if he were churning butter. Individuals unable to do their own chimney maintenance may find assistance via chimney sweeps as well as some heating-and-air and duct-cleaning companies.

Despite the common sources for house fires, however, Dunn warned they are not limited to any particular reason.

“Is there one thing in particular? No,” he concluded. “Every year I see new ones.”