January 28, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal investigated a fire that damaged an industrial structure in Georgetown, Delaware on January 27, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly before 1:30 P.M., occurred in the 29000 block of Landfill Lane Georgetown, Delaware. The Millsboro Fire Company arrived on the scene and found smoke and fire coming from a structure at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority Facility. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies were called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire was Accidental in nature, originating on the interior of the structure and was caused by an unspecified mechanical malfunction of operating equipment. The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated to exceed $1000000.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office

January 26, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal investigated a structure fire that occurred in Millsboro, Delaware on January 25, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly after 09:30 P.M. , occurred in the 26000 block of John J. Williams Highway Millsboro, Delaware. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company arrived on the scene and found smoke showing from a structure at Cadia Healthcare Renaissance Rehabilitation Center. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

State fire investigators were called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The fire was determined to be Accidental in nature, originating on the interior of the structure in a mechanical room. The fire was caused by an unspecified electrical malfunction at an electrical powerstrip. The fire was contained by the structures automatic fire sprinkler system. Damage is estimated at $2500. There were no reported injuries.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office

January 24, 2024

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind Delawareans that home fires occur more in the winter months than any other season throughout the year. In fact, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, & February. Nationwide, heating equipment is involved in 1 out of every 6 home fires and 1 in every 5 fire deaths. Please follow these winter fire safety tips to keep you and your family safe this winter season.

Heating
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
• Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (ex. space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
• Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container. Keep it outside at least 10 ft from your home and any nearby buildings.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.

Carbon Monoxide
• Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely.
• In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for.
• Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel declare that it is safe to re-enter the home.
• Only use gas or charcoal grills outside, as they can produce CO.

Portable Generators
• It’s important to know that portable generators emit carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous, deadly gas.
• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 ft from all doors, windows, and vent openings.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
• Place generators so that exhaust fumes are directed away from the building.
• Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling.
• Never refuel a generator while it is hot.

Other reminders
• Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.

Winter Fire Safety Fact Sheet

January 23, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that damaged Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic vehicles and a detached carport structure in Milton, Delaware on January 22, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly before 5:00 P.M. , occurred in the 24000 block of Broadkill Road, Milton, Delaware. The Milton Fire Department arrived on the scene and found a vehicle and carport structure heavily involved in fire. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

State fire investigators were called to the scene and performed an investigation to determine the origin and cause. The fire was determined to have originated in the rear of a parked vehicle and was Accidental in nature, caused by an unknown electrical malfunction.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.00. A Sussex County Paramedic was treated and released at an area Hospital as a precaution after attempting to extinguish the fire and move another vehicle to safety. There were no other reported injuries.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office
(302) 542-9190 Cell

January 13, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that damaged a commercial structure in Lewes, Delaware on January 12, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly after 09:00 P.M., occurred in the 18000 block of Plantations Boulevard Lewes, Delaware. The Lewes Fire Department arrived on the scene and found smoke and fire coming from a commercial structure utilized as the Dave Marshal Tennis and Fitness Center. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies were called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire originated on the interior of the structure, the cause remains under investigation at this time. The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. The structure was not protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system. A Firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. There were no other reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $275000.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office
(302) 542-9190 Cell