Chimney Fires

Like any fire, chimney fires vary in size and severity. On one extreme, it is possible to have a chimney fire without even knowing it. While this is uncommon, it does happen. On the other extreme, a chimney fire may leave nothing more of your home than a pile of ashes around the chimney. Fortunately, this, too, is uncommon.

The average chimney fire will make a loud roaring noise, often described as a train or jet going through the home. The roaring noise is caused by the sudden rush of air going into the chimney to feed the fire. A column of flames will usually be seen coming out the top of the chimney. Pieces of creosote will often be seen flying out the top of the chimney, and these may ignite the roof or other nearby combustibles. You may also hear popping or cracking noises inside the chimney indicating damage to bricks, mortar and flue liners.

Listed below are the things you should do if you have a chimney fire.

	Call the fire department. Hopefully you won't need them but don't wait until you do before calling.
	Locate everyone and get them out of the house.
	If you have a fireplace with glass doors, close the doors and the vents. If you have a woodstove, close the doors and the air inlets. Do not close the damper of either a woodstove or a fireplace.
	If flames are visible at the chimney top, hose down the roof but not the chimney. Spraying water on a hot chimney will very likely damage it.
	Call a chimney sweep before using the chimney again.

Don't be misled into believing that a chimney fire is a good way to clean a chimney. A chimney fire is a serious occurrence and can be very damaging to a chimney. Often a well constructed chimney will confine the first chimney fire to the chimney itself, while repeated chimney fires increase the likelihood of damage to the home. Chimney fires, even small ones, will very likely damage the chimney to the point it is unsafe to use.

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