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Fires plague LI homes as residents confront cold

Avoidable fires are breaking out all over Long Island as residents take action against the cold. In Mastic Beach, resident Debbie Heusser says her husband started a fire by using a propane torch to

News 12 Staff

Feb 6, 2007, 11:02 PM

Updated 6,580 days ago

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Avoidable fires are breaking out all over Long Island as residents take action against the cold.
In Mastic Beach, resident Debbie Heusser says her husband started a fire by using a propane torch to unfreeze the oil line from the outdoor tank. Nobody was injured, but Suffolk Fire Commissioner Joe Williams says people would be a lot safer if they'd use common sense. Williams says another method to which some residents have turned, using a gas stove for heat, can be deadly because of the carbon monoxide it releases into the air.
According to Williams, space heaters are also a growing problem. He recommends double-checking the safety of the wiring, and keeping the heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items.
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