Columbus Fire and Rescue responded to an unauthorized burn at 215 8th Ave. S. Friday around 7: 30 p.m.
Capt. Mike Gibson said the homeowner was burning leaves, without a permit to burn within the city limits, but the fire was out upon arrival.
A city ordinance requires residents to call or stop by the Columbus Fire Department for a free permit, if they do not have one, regardless of what they intend to burn.
Gibson said the department must set up a time to come to the burn site and see what will be burned, where it will be burned and make sure there is proper water supply, in case the fire gets out of control. Other factors also determine whether an individual receives a permit.
“They can burn as long as they have a permit, but if neighbors complain about the smoke and stuff, it will have to be extinguished,” Gibson said. “But most people realize there is an ordinance in the city that requires a permit to burn.”
The department also responded to a fire at 1406 4th Ave. N. Friday, but it was out when firefighters arrived.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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