By Sarah Clark & Matt Stewart
FOX 4 News – January 6, 2014
A woman and three children are safe after a fire started inside their Merriam, Kan., home early Monday morning.
Firefighters said the blaze started in what they called a sunroom. The woman and three children escaped the flames without injury. Firefighters rescued their black Labrador and gave him oxygen. The dog was then taken to an emergency veterinarian by a man who arrived at the scene.
Firefighters said it’s difficult to battle a blaze in negative temperatures, saying it’s virtually impossible to stay warm. Another problem is presented when water freezes. Despite the difficulties, firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.
Fire Chief Bob Pape said the fire started when ashes from the fireplace were put in a plastic container and placed on the back porch. Over time, the ashes melted the container caught fire, which then spread.
Pape recommends using a metal container with a lid and placing it in the yard, away from the house. Pape added that firefighters recently battled a fire where a resident used a Shopvac to suck up the ashes. They melted the Shopvac, which then spread to other areas of the house.
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