While it is still unknown what started the fire, officials
believe the tree played a role in spreading the blaze. Now that
it's been two weeks since Christmas, it's time for the old trees
to go. It can happen in an instant and it can happen without
warning. It's "a fuel source in your living room," said South
Beloit Fire Department Chief Kenneth Morse. In just seven
seconds "a dry tree can be totally consumed," said Morse. A
Christmas tree caught on fire can turn a room into a raging
inferno. "You can fully involve a room in a matter of 1 to 2
minutes," said Morse. At the South Beloit Fire Department
station, fire fighters set an old discarded Christmas tree on
fire to show us what happens when the fire reaches a flash
point. "The longer their in the house, even with proper care,
they more they are going to dry out," said Morse. "It's time to
get it out and get it away from the home." Chief Morse says poor
electric chords, cigarette smoking, and open flame candles are
the main causes of Christmas trees catchi