VIDEO: Metal roofing and siding are a popular choice for homes and businesses across our region, offering protection from harsh winter weather. But local firefighters say these materials create challenges during emergency responses. The Van Buren Fire Department says recent fires have highlighted a serious issue โ metal roofing and siding is making fires in our area more difficult to extinguish, often resulting in greater damage to the structure.
Brian Caron, Van Burenโs Fire Chief says: โFor the most part, when you get into a metal structure, once it catches on fire, by the time you get control of it, a good part of itโs burnt. As far as metal roofing in our area, itโs difficult because when the structure burns from within, or the walls, or in the attic, the metal tends to fall down onto the fire, making it difficult to access the fire. And once the metal has fallen, itโs hard to โ itโs almost impossible to walk on, to penetrate it, to cut holes into it, or even remove it. Itโs just making it dangerous for the firemen, in general, to access the fire.โ
In Aroostook County, metal roofing and siding are commonly used to withstand tough winter conditions. Caron: โAround the county here, it gets cold. So, a lot of people have ice problems in the winter, and so then they tend to put a double roof on the house. And then, when that roof gets old, they strap it and put a metal roof on top of that. Recently, thatโs the trouble we had with one of the fires โ the fire got between the roofs, and we couldnโt access the roofline. We had to actually let it burn out, burn a hole, to be able to get in there and extinguish it. Coming from a contracting experience, I never liked installing metal roof myself, but I always tried to steer people away for that reason. I mean, itโs a good product; it does well. On the other hand, when you do have a fire, it now becomes like a hotbox.โ
While metal roofing and siding offer durability and protection from snow and ice, they can also complicate firefighting efforts, potentially increasing the danger to both property and lives. Fire officials are urging homeowners and builders to consider these risks when choosing materials.
