Crime & Safety

Fire Chief: Alarming Number of Fires Can Be Traced to One Source

Thousands of homes and businesses constructed between 2000 and 2010 were built with something called Yellow CSST. It is a gas piping product used to supply natural gas and propane to structures.

Press release from the City of Johnston

October 8, 2013

Johnston Fire Chief Jim Krohse and Clive Fire Chief Rick Roe warned central Iowans today about an alarming number of house fires in the Des Moines metro that have all been traced back to one cause.

Thousands of homes and businesses constructed between 2000 and 2010 were built with something called Yellow CSST.  It is a gas piping product used to supply natural gas and propane to structures.

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If lightning strikes on or near a structure with Yellow CSST inside, there is risk that it can travel through the structure's gas piping system, arc, result in a gas leak, and in most cases cause a fire.  In just the past three years, there have been at least 17 gas leaks due to a pinhole rupture of the CSST in the Des Moines metro, most resulting in fire.  Several of those fires caused significant damage to homes.

During a thunderstorm last year, Johnston firefighters responded to a call about a smell of smoke in a home.  They discovered lightning hit near the home, and caused a Yellow CSST fire.  They were able to put out the fire.  Because of the Johnston Fire Department's knowledge of the piping --- they knew to look at nearby homes for gas leaks.  They went door to door to make sure every home and every family was safe.

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Thankfully they did, because as they approached a home across the street from the first fire, they heard smoke detectors going off inside. No one was home, so they forcibly made their way in and discovered another CSST fire.  They were able to save the home before the fire spread beyond the basement.

"Because the firefighters knew what to look for, there is no doubt in my mind they saved my home and I am very grateful for that," said Johnston homeowner Bill Gibbons.

Clive Fire Chief Rick Roe has tracked the number of CSST pinhole ruptures in the metro and discovered that there were 9 such fire calls in 2011, 3 fire calls in 2012 and so far 5 fire calls in 2013.  The most recent happened in Urbandale during last week's bad thunderstorms.

"The fire damage can be very extensive because they can often burn unnoticed," Krohse said.

Fire Chiefs Roe and Krohse encourage home and business owners to check to see if they have Yellow CSST.  They strongly suggest that homes with Yellow CSST get the tubing bonded and grounded by a certified electrician.

Contact:  Emily Price, City of Johnston Communications, 515.727.7781.


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