The state fire marshal would like to remind everyone that while paper sky lanterns may look cool in the movies, in real life they start fires.
“Once a sky lantern is lit and airborne, there’s no controlling where it might land or what it might set on fire,” State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said in Monday’s release.
The warning comes after investigations into an April 13 fire at Leominster High School demonstrated the potentially catastrophic blaze was started by one of the lanterns, which Ostroskey said are prohibited under Bay State law.
“The State Fire Code prohibits their use in Massachusetts, and their sale may violate the Consumer Protection Act. For safety’s sake, please don’t use them, and call us if you see them offered for sale,” he said.
Sky lanterns, sometimes referred to as Chinese lanterns, are essentially miniature hot air balloons made of paper and lifted by the heat of a candle. The festival lanterns are banned in most states.
According to Leominster Fire Chief Robert Sideleau, the fire was started by a lantern that landed on the roof of the school. Sideleau said that is a particularly dangerous place for a fire to begin.
“Remember, smoke alarms inside won’t alert you to a fire on the roof or porch until it’s grown to a dangerous size. We’re very lucky the lantern didn’t land on a home while people were sleeping inside,” Sideleau said.
“Incidents like this one are a perfect example of why sky lanterns are dangerous. An open flame floating uncontrolled and out of reach can have devastating consequences for people and property. Under different circumstances, this could have been a life-threatening fire,” he said.
The fire at the high school was called in April 13 at 10:20 p.m. and was quickly put out.
