WOODSTOCK – A man accused of starting a fire by throwing ashes onto a manure pile has been issued a summons to appear in court for the incident, a state forest warden said Thursday.
Tom Hurd, who lives with family members in a trailer home on Harbor Road, was given the summons Wednesday to appear in Paris District Court on May 11 for arraignment, said Forest Warden Tom Lillis.
Five fire departments responded to a brush fire Wednesday afternoon on Hurd’s property that damaged two vehicles and two acres of forest, including some trees and brush on a neighbor’s property. The fire was started by ashes from a wood stove that Hurd allegedly threw onto a manure pile.
“People don’t realize just how dry it is,” said Lillis. “It’s not a great time to be burning.”
If Hurd is found to be responsible for starting the fire, he will be ordered to pay a fine that could range from $100 to $200, but the total amount of the fine will be determined by the court.
Lillis said the five towns that responded with equipment to the fire also could seek restitution. Fire departments from Woodstock, Paris, West Paris, Greenwood and Bethel sent crews to the incident. Woodstock fire Chief Geff Inman said Thursday he will not recommend restitution.
Grace Hurd, Tom Hurd’s mother, said Wednesday that the ashes were cold when they were dumped on the pile. Later, Tom Hurd started to hear tires explode and attempted to control the flames with a garden hose until firefighters arrived.
Lillis said people should be reminded to completely extinguish ashes they plan to dump outside. “They should be cool to the touch and wetted down thoroughly,” he said. “The early snow melt and warmer temperatures have extended the grass fire season. It usually catches people by surprise.”
He also said it is best to burn outdoors in the evening when breezes calm down.
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