A CHIMNEY fire at Morwellham has reinforced calls by the Devon Fire and Rescue Service urging home-owners to take precautions to avoid similar accidents.
Bere Alston firefighters were called to the fire in an old cottage on the night of Tuesday, January 7. Sub-officer Colin Shaw said the cause was a build-up of soot and resin from wood. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Sub-officer Shaw said people tended to get their chimneys swept once a year, but it should be done more frequently to avoid the build-up, whch could have disastrous consequences.
Kevin Rookley, Callington fire chief, said the firefighters? job in putting out chimney fires had become more difficult in recent years because of the popularity of wood stoves. ?We have to dismantle them before we can get to the chimney, which makes it very messy and difficult,? he said.
Dave Canniford, press officer for Devon Fire and Rescue, said: ?We all like to sit in our favourite chair in front of a nice open fire, especially when everything outside is covered in snow.
?But unfortunately we have seen an increase in the number of chimney fires.?
He said the main cause of chimney fires was chimneys not being swept often enough, and urged people to check the brickwork around their chimneys. He said there was a greater risk of fire spreading to the house or roof if the brickwork was unsound.
Anyone wishing to obtain further fire safety advice should contact the Devon Fire and Rescue Service helpline on 01392 872288.