First responders warn of lawnmower fire dangers

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City firefighters are reminding residents of safety with lawn care equipment after responding to two house fires within a week where both were believed to be caused by lawnmowers catching fire in a garage.

Assistant Fire Chief Jason Powell explains that gasoline is always in danger of igniting, but when a lawnmower is in a confined space it’s more likely.

“A lot of times lawnmowers may have leaks or gas leaking out turning into vapor and when the gas is hot and we put it into an environment where the gas vapor and the heat can come together in the right portions then we get a fire,” Powell said.

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Typically, the fire department only responds to five or six lawnmower fires a year, so Powell says it’s unusual for there to have been two so soon into the season.

One of those fires was on Shawnee Road in Johnson City on Thursday. The family and pets made it out safely and homeowners Chris and Beth Huber issued a statement to WJHL.

“We are extremely fortunate we got out of the house as quickly as we did. The fire traveled from the garage to the attic in less than five minutes. We are absolutely blown away by the support from our community. There are no words to adequately express our gratitude,” the Hubers said.

In addition to the gas vapors that can ignite in a garage, Powell says typically homeowners also store other flammable items there like propane, charcoal, and other gas tanks. He says homeowners often choose convenience over safety and ideally these things should be stored away from the home.

Powell offered some tips on reducing the chance of your lawn equipment catching fire:

• Fueling equipment outside

• Wait to fill your mower before each use

• Use a metal safety gas can instead of a plastic container

• Check for leaks and spills

• Give the equipment time to cool down before putting it away

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Powell says the mower could still catch fire outside, but the consequences would be much less severe.

“By keeping it out in the yard though, the cost of replacing your grass versus your car or your house is a lot better right? In worst case scenario, in the case of a fire we could walk away from it,” Powell said.

Powell adds that everyone needs to keep both a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in their garage.

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