Chimney fire
Firefighters have given advice to have chimneys swept at least once a year after a chimney fire in Chelmsford last night.
A crew from Chelmsford was called to Souther Cross Road in Good Easter after residents reported a chimney fire in their home.
On arrival, crews reported that the living room was heavily smoke logged and used a stirrup pump and chimney rods to extinguish the fire by 9:41pm.
Crew Manager Sam Ridley from Chelmsford Fire Station said: “We recommend you get your chimney swept at least once a year by a competent tradesperson to prevent a build up of soot.
“We also recommend you have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home if you have an open fire or log burner to detect harmful carbon monoxide. We recommend that you test this at least once a month as well as testing your smoke alarms regularly.”
Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys. Keep your family and home safe by following our chimney safety advice:
- Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood
- Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed
- Use a fire or spark guard
- Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them
- Inspect your chimney regularly - particularly in the roof space - to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks
- Avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Suitable seasoned timber must be used in all solid fuel stoves
- Buy only suitable fuels. Using the wrong type of fuel on a liner will reduce the life of the liner considerably due to increased corrosion