Blowtorch used to melt ice from gutters ignites roof fire, Oregon firefighters say

A resident trying to melt ice in their gutters with a blowtorch inadvertently set their roof on fire, Oregon firefighters say.

The Cornelius resident was trying to protect the gutters from damage by removing heavy ice buildup but instead started a brief fire on the wooden roof, the Cornelius Fire Department said in a Feb. 25 Facebook post.

“Please never use open flames to melt ice or snow from a building or anything combustible,” firefighters wrote.

Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in Multnomah County following a winter storm and several days of freezing temperatures last week.

“This week’s record-breaking snowstorm impacted thousands of Oregonians and has caused increased demand for local warming shelters,” Kotek said in a statement. “With severe cold weather forecasted through next week the state is dedicated to providing the assistance needed to keep Oregonians warm and safe.”

Cornelius is a city of 13,000 people about 25 miles west of Portland.

This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 8:02 AM with the headline "Blowtorch used to melt ice from gutters ignites roof fire, Oregon firefighters say."