Crime & Safety
Farmstead Road Fire Started by Bucket of Ashes
The back of a Farmstead Road home caught fire Feb. 15.

The fire that started at 2485 Farmstead Road on Feb. 15 was caused by a bucket of hot ashes on the back porch, said Bath Township fire Chief Walter Hower.
"The fire has been deemed accidental," Hower said. "No matter how long ashes sit outside, you don't know if they're cool or not, and it was the right circumstance for them to generate their own heat."
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The ashes were from an indoor fireplace and set in a bucket out on the back porch.
Damage to the home totaled $125,000, Hower said. The home is owned by James and Michelle Kasson.
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No one was hurt in the fire thanks to the Kasson's son Jake.
Jake, 16, was the only family member awake around 11:30 p.m., and heard a cracking noise at the back of the house.
He was able to wake up his three brothers and parents and get them out of the house safely.
Jake will be honored for his heroic deeds at a Bath Trustees meeting in March, Hower said.
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