A CHIMNEY fire in a town centre pub brought traffic in Okehampton to a standstill last Wednesday. Just after noon the chimney at the Fountain Inn on Fore Street caught fire and flames and smoke scorched the usually tranquil Okehampton skyline. The fire brigade was called immediately and arrived on the scene to find the blazing chimney in a difficult and awkward position. Ian Donovan, station officer at Okehampton, said: 'The chimney was tall and difficult to get to. 'It could've collapsed quite easily so we called in a hydraulic platform from Exeter.' East Street and Fore Street were closed to traffic for around one hour to allow the hydraulic platform to position itself in the road. The fire was confined to the chimney and brought under control quickly. The fire service removed the chimney pots and surrounding cement which were loose and dangerous. If they had been left they could have easily caused more damage to the property or to members of the public, particularly in high winds. The Fountain Inn re-opened shortly after, no one was hurt and there was little damage to the property. The fire brigade have warned people to regularly sweep their chimneys to help prevent fires but to dial 999 immediately in the event of any chimney fire.
