The threat of quickly-spreading building fires caused by ignited mulch have Virginia fire chiefs concerned about bills making their way through the General Assembly, prompting the Loudoun County chief to worry: “It’s only a matter of time before people aren’t going to get out.”
Loudoun County Fire Chief Keith Brower said a carelessly tossed cigarette into mulch or wood chips near a building can cause an inferno.
“The fire starts on an exterior combustible wall, it burns up the outside of the wall, then grows and intensifies in the attic,” said Brower. “In doing so it bypasses smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, where they’re installed.”