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

November 27, 2023

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that damaged a residential dwelling structure in Seaford, Delaware on November 27, 2023.

The incident, reported shortly after 1:00 P.M., occurred in the 400 block of Highland Drive Seaford, Delaware. The Seaford Volunteer Fire Department and Sussex County Paramedics arrived on the scene and found heavy smoke and fire coming from a single family dwelling structure. 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. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. The dwelling was not occupied at the time of the fire. There were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $300000.

John M. Galaska

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal

(302) 856-5600 Office

(302) 542-9190 Cell

November 15, 2023

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office investigated a structure fire located in the Kirkwood Square Shopping Center. The fire was reported this morning at 02:56 a.m. and was located at 101 Kirkwood Square, Wilmington, DE 19808.

The Mill Creek Fire Department responded to the scene for smoke from the building which was reported by Delaware State Police. Upon arrival, it was determined that there was an active fire inside the Allstate Insurance office. Neighboring mutual aid fire companies also responded to assist Mill Creek Fire Company with suppression operations. Incident was declared under control at 03:45 a.m. The building was unoccupied at the time of the incident, and no one was injured.

A deputy state fire marshal responded to the scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The fire originated in the fish tank and was caused by unknown malfunction in the components of a large fish tank. Damage was estimated at $10,000.00.

Robert L. Fox
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 327-8506 Office
Robert.fox@delaware.gov

November 14, 2023

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire that occurred in Greenwood, Delaware on November 13, 2023.

The incident, reported shortly after 08:00 P.M. , occurred in the 12000 block of North First Street Greenwood, Delaware. The Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company arrived on the scene and found smoke and flames coming from an unoccupied maintenance structure at the New Process Fibre Company. 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 remains under investigation at this time. There were no reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $100000. Anyone with information on this fire is asked to call the Sussex Division of the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office at (302) 856-5600. Anyone with information on the fire apparatus damaged while responding to this incident should contact the Greenwood Police Department (302) 349-4822 or Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.

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

November 12, 2023

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that damaged a residential dwelling structure in Seaford, Delaware on November 12, 2023.

The incident, reported shortly after 9:30 A.M., occurred in the 8000 block of Hearns Pond Road Seaford, Delaware. The Seaford Volunteer Fire Department and Sussex County Paramedics arrived on the scene and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the occupied dwelling structure. Rescue attempts were unsuccessful due to heavy fire conditions. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene. A single Victim was found deceased inside of the dwelling.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal Major Incident Response Team was called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The Delaware State Police are also assisting with the investigation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. The Victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science Medical Examiner. A Sussex County Paramedic has been treated and released for injuries sustained during the rescue attempt. There were no other reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $200,000.

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