Chinese lanterns may have ignited fire

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File photo. A
firefighter is seen near a fire engulfing a pallet yard on West Broadway Street in North Baltimore, Ohio
late Thursday, July 17, 2014. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

NORTH BALTIMORE – A massive blaze that consumed a village business last week may have been started
accidentally by the smallest of flames.
Village Police Chief Allan Baer said this morning investigators are examining the possibility that a
wayward "Chinese lantern" may have drifted to the site and caused the fire.
The inferno was reported Thursday around 11 p.m. at HPJ Industries, 510 W. Broadway St. The business
engages in recycling and refurbishment-related services.
Flames reportedly shot more than 100 feet into the air, and the fire could be seen from as far away as
Bowling Green. A nearby home and church sustained cosmetic damage as a result of the heat, and pallets
stacked near the facility were completely destroyed. A total of 11 local fire departments responded.
Baer said the Chinese lanterns are a feature of a variety of celebrations.
"They’re setting them off for weddings, memorial services," and even vacation bible studies,
said Baer of the devices. They have also been seen in recent television commercials for various
products.
Chinese lanterns usually consist of a bag-like structure attached to a small votive candle or other such
incendiary item. The heat from the candle flame causes air to warm, allowing the lantern to drift into
the air like a miniature hot air balloon.
Baer noted that the lanterns are illegal because they have caused a number of fires. He said the items
can burn for several hours, and could have drifted to the village from surrounding communities.
"Through our investigation, we’ve actually recovered four of them all over the village, and we know
for a fact some were set that night, were set aloft."
Lindsey Burnworth, a spokesperson for the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, said Monday that the fire’s
cause is currently being listed as undetermined and will remain so until the investigation is completed.

She indicated that an investigator with the office’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau has been to
the HPJ site several times and continues to investigate.
Baer said that the village has been working with the Fire Marshal and "we’re all basically coming to
the same conclusion."
"It doesn’t look intentional at this point."

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