Any fire, whether accidental or for a purpose, can cause injury
if not treated with respect.
Many people forget that a fire in the hearth can still be
dangerous. Chimney fires can spread into the roof space or floor
cavity and endanger the lives of people in the house as well as
causing extensive damage.
Suffolk County Council's fire service offers the following
advice to people who use traditional open fires or woodburners to
heat their properties:
- Chimneys must be swept regularly, at least once a year;
- If you frequently burn wood on your open fire the chimney must
be swept more often, as resin builds up in the chimney; and
- Flues to woodburners must also be inspected to ensure that heat
cannot pass through to a combustible beam or roof structure.
- Always keep a fire guard in front of a burning fire.
- Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the
house.
- Never use petrol or paraffin to light
your fire.
Anybody who suspects their chimney may be on fire should call
out the fire service immediately. Things to look out for include
excessive smoke, embers falling back into the hearth, the walls of
the chimney breast or adjacent walls becoming very hot to the touch
or even flames showing from the
pot.