SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A mobile home was destroyed in a Tuesday morning fire after the homeowner tried to thaw frozen pipes using an open flame, according to a spokesperson with Spokane County Fire District 3.
The home was located on W. Smythe Avenue, according to the spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the homeowner unsuccessfully tried to use snow to put out the fire. No one was injured.
Firefighters want to encourage homeowners to avoid using open flame when trying to thaw pipes because insulation can be very flammable.
The Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management also released guidelines to prevent frozen pipes. Officials said homeowners can protect exposed pipes by wrapping them with heat tape, pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation.
In the event of frozen pipes, homeowners should turn off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes until the water is shut off, as freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints that will leak when thawed.
Officials with the Office of Emergency Management said homeowners should not apply an open flame to frozen pipes. Instead, expose the pipes to warmer air. Once they have thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check for cracks and leaks.
