Tiki Torch Ban Enforced in Charlottesville

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Updated: 3:47 PM Sep 2, 2010 Tiki Torch Ban Enforced in Charlottesville The Charlottesville Fire Marshal says that they are cracking down on business and restaurants which display Tiki Torches on their patios and porches. Posted: 12:32 AM Sep 2, 2010 Reporter: Jessica Jaglois Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com

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September 1, 2010

The Charlottesville Fire Marshal says that they are cracking down on business and restaurants which display Tiki Torches on their patios and porches.

Tiki Torches are banned by the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

In a press statement, Battalion Chief W.A. Hogston said Tiki Torches create a problem because they are often placed next to flammable materials, such as plants and buildings. The outer construction of the torch itself is also a combustible material and is not flame resistant.

In addition, Tiki Torches' posts are often unstable, making it easy for someone to knock them over.

The likelihood a Tiki Torch could start a fire is also increased by this summer's dry conditions.

Restaurant owners have not found them dangerous, but they have found them to be a nuisance and are happy to oblige by the ordinance.

Loco Owner, Adam Frazier, said "They were producing soot in the customer's' faces. While I see what the Fire Marshall is saying, the Torches causing a problem is a remote possibility"

Latest Comments

Posted by: Koahi Location: Hawaii on Sep 2, 2010 at 05:08 PM

Being a torch manufacturer I take offense to these insinuations. Our automated torch housings aren't flammable, if they get hit or tipped over they immediately shut off the gas and if the torch goes out the torch relights itself. This minimizes the danger a lot. If any of these restaurants want to stick it to the government, check out our site, http://www.koahi.com

Posted by: citizen on Sep 2, 2010 at 02:19 PM

But it is a sin not to recycle. So let's take all the confiscated Tiki Torches and use them to light the areas around city hall............

Posted by: same-ole Location: Ch"ville on Sep 2, 2010 at 12:30 PM

I wonder what Charlottesville officials (City Council included) would do if they had to contend with something of real importance, such as hurricanes or oil rig explosions. Could they possibly redirect their attention from issues such as Tiki torches, noise ordinances, and paintings on Camera Shops? I doubt it!!!!

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