Chimney fires spark safety warning

Crews dealt with four chimney fires over the weekend.

• Firefighters from Sandown were called to a home in Melville Street at just before 17:30 on Friday (21 October). The property was smoke-logged and the crew extinguished a fire in the flue.
• Later that evening, a crew from Horndean attended a chimney fire in London Road. They were called at just after 20:00 and put out a fire in the chimney breast.
• On Sunday (23 October) a fire caused by a bird’s nest in the base of the chimney was put out at a house in High Street, Wooton.
• While at around 18:20 on Sunday, a small fire in a chimney at a property in Church Road, Steep, was put out by firefighters using chimney rods.

As the weather begins to turn colder, and more people start to light fires at home, people are being reminded about the simple steps to take to stay safe:

• Always get your chimney professionally swept and checked before use
• Make sure you use the correct fuel for woodburning stoves and open fires to reduce the risk of toxic fumes and carbon monoxide poisoning

Chimney safety is one of the 5Cs you need to be aware of this winter to stay safe.