DEVON & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service (DSFRS) this week asked people to take extra care in the home, especially when lighting up fires that have not been used for a while.

This advice comes after firefighters were called to six chimney fires over the weekend. Four of the incidents were from open fires and one from a wood burning stove.

Chimneys need to be dirt free to allow the free passage of dangerous combustion gasses, so regular cleaning will remove soot and creosote, and help prevent dangerous chimney fires.