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How far can a poping spark from a fireplace travel?

Sent to General Experts September 8 2007 at 7:26 PM
   

I had a house fire from a spark form the fireplace hitting the Christmas tree. The insurance company is balking at paying because they think the tree was too far away from the fireplace.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $20
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September 8 2007 at 7:33 PM (7 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         

Hello and welcome to Just Answer !

How far away was the tree and fireplace from each other ? What was you using to burn in fireplace? Is there a firescreen in place ? Did it happen when you were sleeping, and not watching the fireplace ?



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September 8 2007 at 7:47 PM (13 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
The Christmas tree was 8 feet away. It was a large woodburning fireplace. Several types of wood were burning in the fireplace. It was a fairly large fire. Pine tree, Oak brush tree, and some oak shelves that I had cut up. The screen was open. And I was in the room when in the room when the cristmas tree caught on fire.
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September 8 2007 at 7:53 PM (6 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
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September 8 2007 at 8:09 PM (16 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
Thank you, but the article is referring to wildland fires and floating embers igniting roofs. I need to know how far a poping spark from a firepace can travel and ignite a Christmas tree. There wasnt a wind that night and the chimney had a spark arrester on the top which would obstruct down drafts. The wood was poping quite abit at the time making a poping spark the prime suspect. The insurance companys expert said a spark to fly that far is unlikely but it was only his opinion. I need some data of some kind or somebodys expert opinion on how far a spark can travel. Thank you
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September 8 2007 at 8:12 PM (2 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
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September 8 2007 at 8:19 PM (7 minutes and 1 second later)
         
Thank you, would you tell me what the source was that said a spark from a fireplace can fly 100 feet? The article you sent is talking about outdoor wildland fires and floating sparks not interior fireplaces and poping sparks. Thank you again.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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September 8 2007 at 9:00 PM (40 minutes and 38 seconds later)
         
I regret to say as of yet I've been unable to refind the information. If you can give me until tomorrow, I will try to find it. Its gotten quite late here. Is that okay with you ?

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September 9 2007 at 8:26 AM (11 hours and 26 minutes and 24 seconds later)
         
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I couldn't find the article yet. But I called the local fire department in my area and spoke to the head inspector that the sent the call to. He said that definitely the fire popping could have ignited your tree, with your screen open , depending on how dry the wood was, that 8 feet would not have been at all hard to have started the fire.

He suggested that you talk to the fire inspector, that inspected the fire at your place and they in turn can testify to this fact. They will have a report that should already be done to prove how and why the fire started, and how far a spark could fly to the tree.

I believe since their inspector said its only his "guess" that they don't have absolute proof on how far it could have sparked. Which means that it could have, and they can not refuse to settle your case, they are hoping you will take what they offer you, instead of what you deserve and what it will take to rebuild.

I hope this settles the question for you. Good Luck !



REMEMBER TO CLICK THE GREEN ACCEPT BUTTON SO I GET PAID FOR MY WORK AND POSITIVE FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED.

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