A weekend blaze that damaged six homes and left a dog dead in Pasadena started from compost that self-ignited, authorities said.
The fire began outside a residence in the 1000 block of East Bell Street, said Lisa Derderian, a city spokeswoman.
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Firefighters headed to the neighborhood at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. They saw a detached duplex with fire and smoke coming from the back of the property.
The fire, which extended into nearby properties, was knocked down shortly after 2:30 p.m.
The fire displaced nine adults and two children.
Of the six homes damaged, three had significant damage, Derderian said. As estimated cost of damages wasn’t available yet.
Fire departments from South Pasadena, Glendale, Sierra Madre and San Gabriel assisted the Pasadena Fire Department.
Green waste, the Riverside County Code Enforcement Department says, can include tree trimmings, palm fronds, grass clippings, manure, mulch and compost.
The department offers tips:
- The green materials should be 12 inches or less deep.
- Keep the pile at eye-level or below. This way you are able to see smoke or any sign of burning at the top of the pile.
- Maintain low pile temperatures.
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A fire that damaged six residences and killed a dog in the 1000 block of East Bell Street in Pasadena on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, started as a compost fire, authorities said. (Photo courtesy of the Pasadena Fire Department)
