A Fort Ripley home was saved Monday when a fire started in its attic, burning the wood rafters and insulation of a home on Sebie Lake.
Brainerd firefighters were called at 1:51 p.m. to Daniel Bona’s home on 3373 Sebie Lake Road in Fort Ripley, which is 17 miles south of Brainerd.
Brainerd Fire Chief Kevin Stunek said upon arrival there was a lot of smoke but the flames were limited. Stunek said Bona was home with his mother when the fire started. Stunek said the fire started from a free standing wood fireplace in the living room. Stunek said the fire went through the chimney to the roof and the attic caught on fire.
“The chimney just got too hot and started the wood rafters and insulation on fire,” said Stunek. “We were able to get into the attic from an outside door ... The home was not a total loss. There was about $5,000 in damages.”
Stunek said Bona attempted to extinguish the fire.
“He did a good job extinguishing the fire as the flames were light when we arrived,” Stunek said. “However, we do not recommend homeowners to try to put out their own fires. Let the professionals do this. It is for their own safety.”
Stunek said there were 14 firefighters on scene, along with two fire engines and a tanker.
The Little Falls Fire Department were called for mutual aid and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department and North Memorial Ambulance were on scene on standby.
Firefighters cleared the scene around 3:15 p.m.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl.
Comments (2)
Add commentEasier said than done.
“However, we do not recommend homeowners to try to put out their own fires. Let the professionals do this. It is for their own safety.”
Easier said than done. I promise I would be trying to extinguish the fire myself, even with help on the way.
Glad no one was hurt and the home was saved.
What the heck, let er burn.
Okay, a house 17 miles from the fire department catches fire and the homeowner is suppose to stand by and let er burn rather than try and save it along with his belongings, memoirs etc. 17 miles by fire truck is a lot of wasted time while the fire could be controlled by the home owner. Yes, it is dangerous, which is the only part of the fire chiefs statement that makes sense. Leave it to the professionals, for what, training purposes. Or maybe it will help put higher numbers on the books when it comes time for next years fire department budget request. Or maybe it will help the zoning office enforce their sometimes obsolete policies when you have to rebuild. Or maybe even his statement was directed on behalf of insurance companies. If this poor gentleman would have waited for the fire department, at least 17 minutes, his expense would have been a lot more than $5000.00 damage and a lot more than a new roof. I say, weigh each situation on it's own merits and keep the chiefs statements out of the newspaper. Be safe, be careful, and make your own decisions.