KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Oshtemo Fire Department held a training exercise on Saturday that involved lighting a house on fire.
Fire officials lit a Christmas tree inside the home to demonstrate the dangers of trees during the holiday months.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are on average 160 house fires that involve a Christmas tree every year in the US. The NFPA reports on average nine people are killed a year.
“Make sure those trees are watered. Make sure they are fresh, the fresh cut trees. Obviously the smaller the tree, the less amount of fuel it is. Keep any ignition sources away from that tree. If there ever is a fire involving that tree, just get out,” said Oshtemo Fire Chief Mark Barnes.
The house burned down in the demonstration had already been set to be demolished.
