Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

The Square, Leedstown, Hayle at 03/12/2009 21:55

One appliance from Camborne attended a reported chimney fire. Crews used ladders and one hosereel to extinguish the fire.

There are no further details available regarding this incident.

Chimney Fires
Our advice to members of the public:

A few simple tips...
Simple tips to greatly reduce your chances of having
a fire in your chimney:

Sweep the chimney before use if you haven't used it for some time
Ensure a fireguard is in front of the fire at all times
Sparkguards can prevent a serious property fire
Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house
Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps has a network of fully insured members throughout the country, who work to a Code of Practice. For more details telephone free on 0800 833464, or visit their website on www.chimneyworks.co.uk/

How often should I clean my chimney?
We recommend the following simple maintenance routines:

Solid Fuel Fires - Once a year for smokeless fuel; twice a year for coal
Wood Burning Fires - 4 times a year when in use
Gas Fires - Once a year if designed for sweeping
Oil Fires - Once a year

In the event of a chimney fire...
Dial 999 and ask for the Fire Service. It will help if someone can wait outside to meet them.
If you have a conventional open fire, extinguish the fire by gently splashing water onto the open fire.
If you have a solid fuel appliance, close down the ventilation as much as possible.
Move furniture and rugs away from the fireplace and remove any nearby ornaments.
Place a sparkguard in front of the fire.
Feel the chimney breast in other rooms for signs of heat.
If a wall is becoming hot, move furniture away.
Ensure that access to your attic or roof space is available for the Fire Service as they will want to thoroughly check this area for signs of possible fire spread.
Always call the Fire Service for a chimney fire - it has the ability to destroy your home.

Remember!
Without proper maintenance, any flue from a fire or stove can cause a dangerous build up of carbon monoxide gas. A carbon monoxide detector will help protect you from this risk. Visit our safety page on Carbon Monoxide for more information.