The proliferation of recreational fireplaces for backyards and decks could be a disaster waiting to happen without proper regulation, Mountville Borough officials said Monday.

The fine line between burning woody waste, which requires a permit from the borough, and recreational log burning in outdoor fireplaces such as chimineas or raised fire pits became an issue when Mayor Philip Kresge recently saw flames shooting up from behind a house.

"I though it was a house fire. The flames (from an outdoor fireplace) were as high as this ceiling," Kresge said as he pointed to the ceiling in borough hall that is about 15 feet high.

Currently, the borough does not have an ordinance that differentiates where waste burning ends and recreational burning begins.

Steve Zeamer, road master, said any burning in the borough should require a permit issued by council.

He said he was not familiar with the variety of recreational fireplaces available for sale at many home improvement and big box stores.

Councilwoman Christine Eshleman expressed doubts that residents would apply for a permit for recreational outdoor fireplaces.

But the widespread availability of outdoor fireplaces, especially those that are advertised for use on decks, seriously concerned Mountville Fire Chief Dean Gantz.

"As hot as the bottoms get (on fireplaces), I would not want that on my deck," he said.

Gantz said he recently saw a model that fits into a picnic table, shaking his head in disbelief.

That same widespread availability of outdoor fireplaces led council members to believe that little could be done to ban them from the borough.

However, there appeared to be a consensus that ordinances could be put into place to regulate the size of the fireplace, a requirement for screens or covers, and setbacks from houses and other buildings.

Mountville could find guidance in the ordinances in place in the City of Lancaster.

City fire Capt. David Amico said Wednesday a starting point could be the 2009 International Fire Code.

According to the ordinance, portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplaces must be made of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material.

All outdoor fireplaces must have a spark arrestor and screen to prevent burning material from being carried away from the fire.

Amico said materials that can be burned are regulated.

"Only seasoned firewood such as what you buy at SKH can be burned. You can't burn leaves, trash, wood laying around your yard or anything that creates obnoxious smoke," he said.

Amico said that includes any wood building material such as two-by-four lumber.

"Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited," the ordinance states.

Amico said the ordinance also prevents any portable outdoor fireplaces from being operated within 15 feet of any structure including houses, garages, fences and anything combustible.

"People don't realize it, but this includes decks," he said.

Amico added that portable outdoor fireplaces that fit in picnic tables such as the one Gantz described Monday are not permitted under the ordinance.

In addition, city code requires that recreational fires be constantly attended until they are extinguished and an approved, portable fire extinguisher or material such as dirt, sand, a water barrel, garden hose or water truck, be readily available.

The city code gives a fire official the right to extinguish a fire that creates a "hazardous or objectionable situation."

Councilman Richard Spiegel said Monday that he supports investigation on potential regulations, but added that proper use of outdoor fireplaces comes down to common sense of the user to follow manufacturer's instructions.

He compared the reckless use of outdoor fireplaces to people losing fingers on moving lawnmower blades despite warning signs placed all over the machines.

"You can't fix stupid," he said.