In the last two weeks, Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Tim McLaughlin told 12 News his office has investigated about a dozen fires.
Many remain under investigation and likely don’t share the same cause, but this is a time of year when McLaughlin said firefighters respond to more incidents.
“This will start our busy season,” McLaughlin said during a live interview on 12 News at 4 Tuesday. “We have a litany of things that start fires relatively quickly when it’s dry, it’s warm.”
Outdoor grills are considered one of the leading causes of fires, McLaughlin said. If you have a grill on your deck, he suggests keeping it three feet away from the side of your home or railings, and out of reach of kids or pets.
“People are having a good time around the fire pit, they’re not paying attention,” McLaughlin said.