PORT ANGELES — Fire District No. 3 personnel put out a smoldering fire in the dust collection portion of a central vacuum system in an east Port Angeles home after the homeowner used the system to clean the fireplace.
The homeowner phoned emergency dispatchers at 9:54 p.m. Wednesday to report that the basement of her 3,500-square-foot home in the 1700 block of Gasman Road was full of smoke, said Patrick Young, spokesman for the Fire Department.
Firefighters arriving nine minutes later found heavy smoke but no flames.
The homeowner told firefighters she had used the central vacuum system to clean out the fireplace about 30 minutes prior to calling 9-1-1.
The source of the smoke was determined to be in the dust collection portion of the vacuum system, Young said.
Crews took the container apart, controlled a smoldering fire, then used a ventilation fan to remove smoke from both the basement and the main portion of the home.
No injuries were reported. Damage was limited to the vacuum motor and collection system, and the homeowner and two children were able to return to the home, Young said.
Eighteen firefighters in eight vehicles, as well as Olympic Ambulance, responded to the call for help.
All crews cleared the scene at about 11:45 p.m.
“Removal of fireplace and wood stove ash and debris has a high potential to cause fires if not properly removed and stored,” Young said.
“Ash and debris can contain hot coals even if they feel cool to the touch.”
Young recommended that all ash be manually removed from the fire box, placed in a metal container and mixed with water until a slurry is formed.
The container should then be removed and stored outside away from combustibles items, Young said.
