Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Woodford, Morwenstow, north of Bude at 17/01/2006 09:09

One appliance from Bude attended. The crew extinguished a chimney fire using a stirrup pump and rods by 1004hrs. The crew also used a thermal imaging camera to check for fire spread.

General Fire Safety Advice:
Make a Clean Sweep of It
Cornwall County Fire Brigade attend over 400 chimney fires every year - remember: a chimney fire could spread into the rest of your home, resulting in severe damage, personal injury or even death.

Have your chimney swept by a competent chimney sweep at least once a year, preferably before you light the fire for the first time in the Autumn (N.B. If you regularly burn wood, we recommend that the chimney is swept twice a year).

Having your chimney swept will ensure that the flue is not blocked, and that smoke and gases can escape safely.

USE a spark guard fixed to the wall when a fire is left unattended, or when there are children or elderly people around
DO NOT place clothes or other flammable material on the guard or too close to the fire
MAKE SURE you have a bedtime safety routine to keep your family safe
USE fire lighters, never flammable liquids
CHECK that your smoke alarm is working

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1525