NEW PHILADELPHIA – New Philadelphia firefighters responded at 10:41 a.m. Thursday to reports of a brush fire at a home at 508 N Broadway St., with smoke and flames visible to neighbors across the street.
The flames were quickly extinguished, but not before half of a fence and some brush were burned.
The homeowner said he used a blowtorch to burn away weeds in the cracks in his driveway so he could reseal them, and the flames immediately spread to the shrubs and fence. The house was built in 1892, according to the Tuscarawas County Auditor’s website.
“He was lucky,” said NPPD Captain Matthew Graham.
Since September 9, 24 Ohio counties have been under a regional open fire ban, issued by Ohio Fire Chief Kevin Reardon due to extremely dry conditions.
The ban applies to Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington counties. More counties may be added.
“Fire safety is a responsibility we all share,” Reardon said in a statement. “It is critical that Ohioans understand and appreciate the significant risks associated with fires, especially during the current drought. Together, we can protect our communities and the environment.”
TR staff photographer Andrew Dolph can be reached by phone at 330-289-6072, or by email at adolph3@gannett.com. You can also find him on Instagram @dolphphoto.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New Philadelphia homeowner causes wildfire in driveway
