Greater Nashua

A fully-decorated Christmas tree is a beautiful sight to behold -- and it can also be a catastrophe waiting to happen. According to the National Fire Protection Association, even the smallest spark will instantly set a dry tree ablaze. Because of its porous nature, a Christmas tree will draw more oxygen, causing it to burn faster than newspaper. A deadly flashover can occur just 40 seconds after the fire starts. In contrast, it typically takes three minutes for the average family to escape from a burning home. “Live Christmas trees can be powerful fuel sources, especially when dry,” said James Shanley, a fire safety engineer at Travelers Insurance. “At its peak, a burning six-foot tree can give off the same heat as 40,000 100-watt light bulbs.” As the fire rages, room temperature at floor level can reach 100 degrees while the temperature at eye level can soar as high ...