A house on Berkshire Drive in Claridon Township was the scene of a fire prompted by an electrical problem and accompanied by the ominous crackling sounds that prelude disaster, as told in a social media post from the Chardon Fire Department. The call, which came in at around 8:07 PM on Tuesday, saw Chardon firefighters join forces with teams from Hambden, Concord, and Munson to tackle the blaze.
Thankfully, the home's residents and their pets had the sense of urgency and good fortune to evacuate before first responders descended on the scene upon arrival the firefighters were swift to locate and smother the flames in the attic, before the fire could claim more than it had, however, their operations suffered complications due to the restricted access to the affected area, resulting in more water and overhaul damage to the property. In the wake of the incident, the American Red Cross stepped in to provide the displaced with essential aid, including housing and clothing.
In light of the recent event and the oncoming cold, Chardon Fire Chief Justin Geiss stressed the importance of heating safety precautions, from maintaining a substantial clearance around space heaters to the perils of plugging them into anything but the wall outlets and remembering not to obstruct the furnace exhaust, especially those that vent through home sides and risk being clogged by snow, the advice was clear "Never put cords under area rugs," Geiss warned, according to Chardon Fire Department. Emphasizing the necessity for smoke detectors at every level of the home, Geiss's comments ring with the concern of one who has seen what neglect and oversight can cost.
