PETROLIA — Petrolia firefighters have a building to burn, and they want to share the experience.

“The benefits of having an acquired structure is you're burning an actual house,” Petrolia Fire Chief Chuck Barnes said.

The Petrolia Fire Department will host a structure burn class with live fire practice on a 2.5 story building.

The course covers about 16 hours total.

On Monday, the class will review and study material. On Thursday, the class will rehearse and practice, and on Sept. 21, the fires will start.

“We will provide the student with a review and application of the techniques used in safe firefighting practices in an actual fire environment,” said Kevin Smith, Butler County Community College's interim coordinator of fire/hazmat training programs.

Smith said the same training is done on campus at BC'3 Public Safety Training Center Burn Building.

“The burn building at BC3 is more controlled because the structure itself does not burn,” Smith said. “With a acquired structure, we can show more fire behavior and air flows caused by the fire in a somewhat controlled environment.”

Barnes said the class has openings. He said the current roster has about 18 people, but there is room for 25 or more.

He said participants have to be older than 18 and have either firefighting essentials or firefighter 1 accreditation.

Barnes said it will be essential for the participants to have some form of training and experience as burning a live home is not danger-free.

He said for the training firefighters will burn one room, fight the fire and repeat until that room no longer is safe.

“The instructors will be keeping a close eye on the structures throughout the day,” he said.

Smith said safe technique and safe monitoring will create an excellent learning opportunity.

“Emphasis is placed on safety for both interior and exterior operations,” Smith said.