‘We preach safety’ as fires surge in San Antonio

Home fires are more common in winter than any other time of the year, and SAFD is urging people to check their smoke detectors and make a plan.

SAN ANTONIO. The city is experiencing a surge in construction fires.

In 2023, more than a dozen major fires damaged homes, apartments and businesses. As a result of the fire, one person was seriously injured, and a firefighter was injured in another incident.

With cooler nights this week, officials are urging people to check their alarms and make an escape plan.

“This time of year, we really have an increase in fires,” said Joe Arrington, a San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) spokesman.

According to the National Association of State Fire Inspectors, there are more fires in homes during the winter than at any other time of the year. Cooking is the main reason, followed by heating equipment.

Arrington says most fires are preventable.

“We are preaching the safety message right now,” he said. “The most important thing we always talk about is the SAFETY SCAN”

SAFD recently released this video in English and Spanish.

“The main takeaway from this is that things are replaceable,” Arrington said, “people are not.”

Arrington says heaters should be connected directly to the wall and placed at least three feet away from all objects. Generators should be placed at least 20 feet from windows and doors.

“Never heat your house with a stove or oven,” he said. “If it’s a gas appliance, not only are you risking a fire, but you can also get carbon monoxide poisoning.”

The arson of the church is being investigated, and one of the fires this year started in a vacant lot.

However, Arrington says there is a lot that residents can do to stop the winter fires.

“We’re here for you, but we don’t want to meet you on your worst day,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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