Despite this winter’s bitter cold, the number of house fires in Richmond has remained consistent with previous years, according to Richmond Fire Chief Mark Sowder. “During the winter, we see an increase in fires caused by heating equipment,” said Sowder. “Given the recent bitter cold, we feel fortunate we didn’t have a large increase in heating fires over previous milder winters.” Sowder explained that while central HVAC systems can be a fire hazard, the majority of heatingrelated fires originate from wood-burning heating and portable heating devices. “Space heaters are not ideal for use in the home, especially while people are asleep,” stated Sowder. “If used, space heaters should be placed on a solid, flat surface, not carpet, and at least three feet from anything that can burn.” Residents are to inspect space heaters for cracked or damaged cords and plugs. Make sure to plug them directly into a wall outlet rather than using an extension cord or power strip. He noted space…