Chipper Jones spoke with AJC sports writer Carroll Rogers about the fire near his house in Roswell Wednesday. Here is part of the interview.
How did it happen?
I was cleaning out the fireplace yesterday [late afternoon Wednesday] and I don’t know what happened. I didn’t see any hot embers or anything when I was cleaning it out so I figured I was good. I went and dumped it out over in the side piece of woods [beside the driveway] and literally three hours later, it caught. And it burned maybe a 30-yard-by-30-yard area, just the underbrush before the fire department got there and put it out.
Was it in the side yard or the woods behind it?
It was in the woods to the side of my driveway.
Did you put the ashes in a plastic bag?
No, I dumped the ash into one of those big Tupperware buckets and it didn’t melt my bucket or anything. And I dumped the bucket out there in the woods like I’ve done 100 other times, and three hours later my neighbor is knocking on my door saying “I called the fire department.”
You didn’t hear it or smell it?
No. Weird, huh.
When was the last time you’d had a fire in your fireplace?
The night before, but I put the ashes in the bucket little scoop by little scoop. There weren’t any red embers. It wasn’t smoldering. It wasn’t hot. That’s why I don’t get it. I’m sure it had probably been burning for a half an hour or so before my neighbor came over but it was still two-and-a- half hours after I dumped them out.
How quickly did the firefighters get there?
Oh, they were there within five minutes. The fire department is only a mile down the road. They put it out in five minutes. All that got burned was the underbrush, a couple of pine trees that are seared there at the bottom but there wasn’t any damage.
Were the flames high?
The smoke was pretty bad. I didn’t see a flame over two or three feet.
Did the firemen explain to you what happened?
I knew what happened. I told them exactly what happened. I’m sure it’s not the first time they’ve had to put out a fire somewhat like that, but …
How many firemen were out in the yard?
There were three. I don’t know how many were manning the truck. They left the truck out on [my] road.
It’s one way to get to know your neighbors.
Yes. First time I met them too.
Were they nice or upset?
Yeah, they were nice. Heck we feed the same deer. We were talking about feeding the deer and everything. I’d always meant to stop by and say hey and just never did. Never thought that them calling the fire department would be the first time.
Did it scare the heck out of you?
Yeah, it was a little bit of a wakeup call. You bet your rear end the next time I dump those ashes I’ll dump some water on top of them…. I was in the middle of eating dinner when the neighbor knocked on the door. I was shocked when I looked out the window.
Did you sign any autographs for the firemen?
I’m going to run by there and see how many guys actually came out because I only saw three guys that put it out and I’ll probably give them a little token of my affection.
About the Author
