Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service have dealt with three chimney fires in the past 24 hours.
A crew of five fire-fighters were called to a chimney fire in Charlton Kings this morning. On arrival, unhealthy the crew used chimey roads to clear the chimney and a thermal imaging camera was used to ensure no further hotspots remained. They were were on scene for just over one hour.
On New Years Eve, sick fire control received a call to a possible chimney fire on Ross Road, Gorsley.
One appliance from Newent Fire Station with a crew of five firefighters and also two appliances assisted from Hereford & Worcester Fire service with a further total of 9 firefighters.
Firefighters had a difficult task ahead of them, they had to cut away beams and needed to request further technical equipment to gain access to the inside of the chimney to tackle the fire.
In total crews were detained dealing with the chimney for 3 hours.
Later in the afternoon, one appliance from Northleach community fire station was called to a chimney fire in the Northleach area.
The incident commander confirmed that one hosereel, safe working at height equipment, carried out some cutting away and that a thermal image camera was used to deal at the incident.
Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service say it attends around 300 chimney fires per year.
The Fire Service has issued this advice:
If you have a chimney in your home make sure it is clean and safe for use. Poorly maintained chimneys, hearths and fireplaces can increase the risk of fire breaking out in your home.
Chimney fires are usually started when high temperatures or flames from a very hot fire extend into the appliance outlet or flue and the ignition of the combustible deposits within, occurs.
But there are steps you can take to keep your home safe:
- Ensure your chimney is traditionally swept corresponding to the chart below;
| Smokeless coals | At least once a year |
| Wood | At least twice a year |
| Bituminous coal | Twice a year |
| Oil | Once a year |
| Gas | Once a year |
- Wood should be dry and well seasoned this usually takes about two years. A well seasoned log has drying-out splits in the ends. Never use wet or newly-felled wood as this can cause tar or creosote to form in the wood burner and chimney.
- Wood & Briquettes with low moisture content give off more heat and are better value for money.
- Make sure that your fire is well ventilated and enough air is coming in to the room.
- Have your chimney flue inspected regularly to ensure that it is in good condition.
- If the wood burner has been used slowly (overnight, for instance), this should be followed by a period of faster burning to dry out any creosote and to warm up the chimney again.
- Make sure embers are under control and extinguished properly before you go out or go to bed.
- Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Always use an appropriate fireguard; a spark guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers and a nursery guard to stop children or vulnerable people touching the fire.
- Keep flammable materials and furniture at least 2m from the fire.
- Check your smoke alarm is working.