Chimney fires prompt safety advice (From Worcester News)

Chimney fires prompt safety advice

10:36am Monday 7th January 2013 in News By Catherine Phillips, Reporter

SEVERAL chimney fires across Worcestershire has prompted the fire service to remind people to keep their chimneys swept.

Station commander Alan Haley from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said they wanted to make people aware at how damaging a chimney fire can be.

This year they have already been called out to a woodburner fire in Redditch on Thursday, January 3 at 10pm.

The following evening at 9pm, a crew from Evesham extinguished a chimney fire at a house in Yessell Lane in Charlton, near Evesham.

Ledbury firefighters were called to a chimney fire yesterday involving a woodburner stove at a house in Bosbury, near Ledbury.

Mr Haley said: “While we haven’t had a particular problem with chimney fires so far this year, we do want people to be aware just how damaging they can be.

“A fire in a chimney can all too easily spread into the roof space and to other parts of a property, and can even destroy a home completely.

“The good news, however, is that most chimney fires can be avoided simply by ensuring chimneys are swept regularly and that only the correct fuels are used.”

He urged people to make an appointment now with a registered chimney sweep if their chimney is due a clean.

Anyone wanting chimney safety advice and full details of chimney sweeps should log on to www.hwfire.org.uk.