Pot Nets Vehicle Fires Intentionally Set

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating two vehicle fires it says were intentionally set July 28 in Pot Nets Lakeside, Long Neck.

The first fire occurred at 2 a.m. in the 32000 block of Tern Cove, said Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Randall Lee, and the second fire was discovered at 8:30 a.m. on the 26000 block of Cottontail Cove.

The Indian River Fire Department responded to the first scene and upon arrival, Lee said, they encountered the vehicle fully involved in fire. A fire department response was not requested for the second fire, he said.

No injuries were reported and damages for both vehicles have been estimated at $45,000, Lee said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 302-856-5600.

from the Cape Gazette

Worcester County Burn Ban

All outdoor burning in Worcester County is banned for an indefinite amount of time due to drought conditions and high temperatures.

Those fire sources not included in the burn ban are proper use of gas and charcoal grills; campfires at the county’s commercial, state and federal campgrounds; permitted official Ocean City bonfires; private property recreational campfires limited to an area of two feet by three feet high; public fireworks displays; and volunteer fire company training exercises.

All existing outdoor burn permits have been rescinded as a result of the burn ban. Call (410) 632-5666.

from the Wilmington News-Journal

Melted Pipe Puts Out Fire

A house that caught fire after a lightning strike on July 6 was saved by something even less likely. The blaze melted through a water line and released enough water to extinguish the flames, Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Randall Lee said.

The fire began at about 5:48 p.m. in the crawlspace of a house on River’s Edge Road when lightning struck it. But by the time firefighters from Indian River, Millsboro and Lewes arrived, all that was left was smoke — the water main had completely quenched the fire.

“All the firefighters had to do was check for any hot spots that were still there,” Lee said. “The fire was gone.”

The flames and smoke caused just $3,000 in damage, according to the fire marshal’s office – a tiny amount compared to most home fires.

“We’ve had that happen a couple of times,” Lee said. “Every so often, there’s a fire in the right spot, close enough to a pipe, and that sorts it out.”

from the Sussex Countian