Phoenix-area fire departments warn of Christmas tree fire danger

PHOENIX — Several fire departments in the East Valley teamed up Tuesday to demonstrate just how destructive a Christmas tree fire can be to a home.

Fire experts said it can take as little as 90 seconds for a Christmas tree to become fully engulfed in flames. Queen Creek Fire Marshal Ted Ford said that can spread through an entire living room in just a matter of minutes.

“About half of the fires themselves do not just stay contained to the room, they actually move out to other rooms,” he said. “That is what creates such a problem with them.”

As the fire begins to spread, it will fill the room with smoke, causing additional concerns for firefighters and dangerous conditions for those in the home.

“Once (smoke) gets up to a high enough ignition temperature, the room will actually flashover, making it almost unsurvivable for anybody in that room,” he said.

On average, there are two to three Christmas tree fires in the Valley every year, according to Ford.

He said fires can be avoided by not overloading circuits and extension cords, keeping Christmas trees adequately watered, and always checking smoke detectors to ensure they are operating.

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