Improperly disposed of coals from a backyard grill set fire to a house on Emldorf Avenue Sunday morning.
The Rochester Fire Department says they found smoke and fire coming from the rear of the home and needed about 20 minutes to get the fire under control. The family was away from home at the time, but firefighters rescued the family’s dog, which suffered some smoke inhalation but was reunited with his owners.
Neighbors contacted the family, who returned to find the firefighters working to save their home.
There was heavy damage to the back of the home, including the kitchen and bedrooms above. But nobody was hurt.
The fire department warns that coals from a grill or fire pit need to cool down for several days in a metal container before they can be thrown away. They can stay hot enough to light a fire far longer than you’d think.