Cold snap leads to busy weekend for SJFD

By Jenna Wilson

The low temperatures didn’t stop fires from happening across St. Joseph this weekend, and firefighters stayed prepared to put out the flames.

St. Joseph firefighters stayed on their feet this weekend, responding to many fires as temperatures dipped. Just on Sunday, firefighters responded to seven fire calls, with three of those being structure fires.

The fires happened in the 100 block of Russell Street, the 400 block of South 17th Street and in the 2100 block of Pear Street, which was a vacant home, Battalion Chief Paris Jenkins confirmed.

While the causes of these fires are still being investigated, Jenkins said one recurring issue this time of year stands out more than most: issues with heating sources.

“Many of them are due to trying to use alternative heating methods,” he said. “The typical methods just aren’t keeping up, so people are using supplemental heat. That’s the main reasons we’re tasked with emergency responses this time of year, and we need to quickly get the job done but while doing so, we face a number of challenges.”

Structure fires remain a concern year-round but draw more concern for first responders in freezing temperatures, as icy roads can delay their response time.

“This extreme weather we’re dealing with has a big impact on our travel time,” Jenkins said. “The streets have been very slick and our equipment freezing up still remains a concern, so responding to a structure fire when the roads are in these conditions can be worrying because our end goal is to always make sure we’re there for our community and delivering the best service that is possible.”

Firefighters said to be mindful when using heating sources as the cold temperatures continue, and for anyone seeking shelter from the cold to do so safely by reaching out to a local shelter.

The St. Joseph Fire Department shared a few specific tips to ensure people stay warm and safe:

Do not use a stove to warm your house

Make sure your fire and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly

Do not overload your extension cords and old electric outlets

Keep an eye on portable heaters

Residents are also urged to keep their fireplaces well-maintained, as issues with fireplaces are another common source of fires this time of year.

“The people that are using fireplaces and flues, make sure that those chimneys get inspected,” Jenkins said. “We get a number of fires from chimneys. The mortar between the bricks kind of deteriorates leading to fires in the attics and then people are unaware that their roof is on fire until it actually burns down.”