According to the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department’s Facebook page, firefighters responded early last week to a carbon monoxide alarm inside a home. No one was showing symptoms, but the occupant had called as a precaution. Chief Vince Mackenzie detected slightly elevated carbon monoxide levels near a wood-burning appliance.

While checking smoke alarms in a basement storage room, the chief found a metal pail of ashes placed near kindling and birch bark. The ashes, removed from the wood stove the day before, were still hot and producing carbon monoxide. The pail, which was taken outside, contained glowing embers which could have started a fire.

The fire department says this highlights the importance of removing ashes from the home and letting them fully cool away from combustible materials. Hot ashes can remain dangerous for up to a week and can even release carbon monoxide.

Fire officials warn never to dispose of ashes in combustible containers, including cardboard boxes, and to ensure homes are equipped with working carbon monoxide alarms.