The fire service have issued advice on chimney safety following a fire in Halstead last night.
Firefighters extinguished a chimney fire in a property in Colne Road.
Two fire crews from Halstead attended the scene, extinguishing the fire by 7pm.
The fire service has issued the following chimney fire safety advice:
- Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood.
- Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed.
- Use a fire or spark guard.
- Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them.
- Inspect your chimney regularly – particularly in the roof space – to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks.
- Avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Suitable seasoned timber must be used in all solid fuel stoves.
- Buy only suitable fuels. Using the wrong type of fuel on a liner will reduce the life of the liner considerably due to increased corrosion.
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