On Saturday at 22:36, the 112 emergency line received a report from police officers about a fire in a bathhouse on the grounds of a private household in the village of Dokudovo, Lida district.

Rescuers extinguished the fire. No one was injured. The fire destroyed the slate roof of the building and damaged the walls.

Most likely, the fire was caused by a violation of the rules for the construction and installation of the stove – the absence of a fireproof clearance.

With the onset of cold weather, the risk of so-called "stove" fires increases sharply. To keep your home's warmth from turning into ashes, it is important to follow fire safety rules. The stove and chimney must not be placed flush against wooden walls and ceilings – protective gaps must be left during masonry. The stove itself should be inspected regularly, the slightest cracks sealed, and the pipe in the attic whitewashed, because dangerous black soot marks are immediately visible against a white background. In front of the firebox door, be sure to nail a sheet of non-combustible material measuring 50 by 70 centimeters to protect the floor from an accidentally falling spark or ember. Lighting the stove with gasoline or other flammable and combustible liquids is strictly prohibited.

Do not use gasoline or kerosene, and do not leave the flame unattended, especially if there are children at home. You should finish heating the stove at least two hours before going to bed. And when you rake out the ash and burnt coals, do not rush to carry them to the backyard – first generously douse them with water until they are completely extinguished, and only then discard them away from wooden structures.