By Vivienne Aguilar
From The Modesto Bee
Modesto—Fireplaces might be an aesthetic, a comfort or a necessity for people during the winter months. Whatever their purpose, they should be used with care, and the Modesto Fire Department already has seen a few fires that could have been prevented.
On Dec. 20, the Fire Department was called to the 5100 block of Countryvale Drive in Salida because smoke was seen coming from the attic of a home. Battalion Chief Ed Bartley said the residents had a fire going in a decorative fireplace for a prolonged period of time. This caused heat to build up in the aluminum insulated chimney so it burned through the flue….