Community Corner

Homeowner Starts Fire Using Torch to Remove Paint

Fire was contained to the overhang of the front porch at 1643 Sumneytown Pike

A homeowner using a gas-fired torch to remove paint from the underneath of the roof of a porch at 1643 Sumneytown Pike was the cause of a minor fire Wednesday afternoon that snarled rush hour traffic on Sumneytown Pike.

"The homeowner was doing some renovations on the porch. He was using a torch to remove some paint and that started some of the wood smoldering. Then, eventually openly burning underneath the overhang of the porch," said Towamencin Township Fire Co. Chief Dean Miller.

Towamencin firefighters contained the fire to the porch area and under the eave.

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Miller said the fire spread to underneath the windowsills of windows on the second floor, but firefighters opened the roof of the porch to let out some heat before hitting it with water.

The biggest concern at this fire was the balloon-frame structure of the home.

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"It's open on the inside, from the basement to the roof. Sometimes, the fire could run right to the roof, regardless of where the fire starts in the house," Miller said. "It can get in the wall and run right to the roof. It didn't do that here, fortunately."

Towamencin Fire Police closed Sumneytown Pike from just before to Green Lane Road. Reiff Road was also closed off.

Miller said using a torch to remove paint from a wooden structure is not the best recommended procedure.

"There are other methods to remove paint rather than open flame," he said.

Montgomery County property records list the owners of the building as Enrique and Miriam Garnica.

The home is a multi-rental unit.


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