Make sure your chimney is clean!!!

[red maples]

Just some bad news to pass forward, which makes me thankful for the roof over my head. My Sister in-law Had a chimney fire about 2 days ago, they live near mt Pocono, PA. Everyone got out OK but the house is total loss. IT burned about 1/2 the house and what ever didn't burn, is damaged from water and smoke. I clean mine several times a year for fear of a chimney fire. But it can happen!!!

[Thad Blaisdell]

I cleaned mine about a week ago..... I did not do the stovepipe, That burned out 2 days after I cleaned the chimney. Didnt hurt a thing but it may have if I hadnt cleaned the chimney.

[GramaCindy]

Oh Brad….how sad. There is never a good time for a chimney fire, but now is especially tough. I hope they can get back on their feet fairly quickly.

[red maples]

Yes they are going to rent the house down the street and her husband is a contractor so they are gong to hire the company he works for to rebuild they are trying to salvage what they can out of the house right now pictures some clothes etc. luckily all of the x-mas gifts were in the garage. I talked to her today she said they are doing better and looking forward to the rebuild now they can build the house how ever they want to. So they are staying positive.

[jasonl6]

Prayers go out to your family. Such a hard time to understand why this could happen.

We clean our chimney the 1st of every month unless it falls on a Sunday regardless if we have used it much or not. I have seen way to many house fires. Doesn't hurt to have the chimneys inspected every couple years for cracked flues as well. If you do get a fire and are home you can dump a bag of flour or backing powder down the chimney to put it out.

Jason

[Ren]

Sorry to hear about your sister in-laws house. Just a few things regarding chimney fires. First thing is to remember that a chimney fire can easily turn into a attic/house fire. You would be surprised how many people will try and put it out before they call 911(local fire department). Second thing would be get everyone out of the house! Now if you would like to try and put it out I would first try a dry chemical extinguisher up the flue or in the case of wood stove up the pipe. Even if you have to knock the pipe of the stove. Discharge the whole thing till it is empty. Yes it will be messy but it usually will put it out or at least knock down the fire unless it has extended in to the walls or attic. If you do not have a extinguisher, you should close up the damper and try and starve it of oxygen(air). You can try to pour some flour or baking soda down the pipe but I would let the fire department worry about dropping a chimney bomb down the chimney. You should clean it at least once a year and have it inspected every few years(especially older fireplaces).

Anyways I hope everyone has a safe holiday season.

Merry Christmas
Shawn

[KenWP]

We have at least ten fights a year over the chimney here.She who must be obeyed will not let the stove get hot and it smoulders instead of burns most of the time. I try and get her to let it get hot once a day at least. We clean it in the fall and the first thaw in january and then in march again because of this. Last year we had no thaws so I had to clean it from inside the house and that was messy to say the least. One time she told me the fire was out and I got up on the roof and it was so hot I couldn't touch it and found out it didn't have a fire just a big pile of coals. LOL. Duh.
I have searched for a chimney fire flare but they don't seem to be available up here.My mom caught the chimney on fire when I was a kid and dad was out in the feild and seen it and put it out with a bag of cattle salt. That chimeny was never cleaned in all the years we lived there and we burnt only popler as that was the only tree that grew close by.

[cpmaple]

Sorry to hear about their loss and i hope the best for them. The most important thing is everyone is ok everything else can be replaced. I was a child when my family lost our home to fire remember it like it was yesterday right after christmas. You may call me over worried but i clean the chimney once every two weeks. I dont get much sleep in the winter time due to the woodstove in our home. Set up very well but always concern. worst part is i'm a ex-asst. chief and captain of the local fire department. wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

[red maples]

Thansk for your thoughts and prayers everyone...They are doing better staying positive. Lots of help from friends family neighbors and church. I usually clean the chimney twice a year I have a wood stove an double insultaed triple pipe ( ceramic blanket and air in between the outer pipe that is connected to out side of the house with the proper air gap. but I usually clean it the end of dec or beginning of jan. I always burn it (in the day time anyway) between 350-400 night time lower but I like to get it good and hot at least once every few days if not everyday. I am a little paranoid now so I wll clean it out next week ....I did the dryer vent this week.

[GramaCindy]

After reading your original post Brad, I had my husband do the dryer vent thing thoroughly. He tried to just do a quickie, but I reminded him how important it is. I have a note to call a chimney sweep right after the holidays. Thanks Brad!
Thansk for your thoughts and prayers everyone...They are doing better staying positive. Lots of help from friends family neighbors and church. I usually clean the chimney twice a year I have a wood stove an double insultaed triple pipe ( ceramic blanket and air in between the outer pipe that is connected to out side of the house with the proper air gap. but I usually clean it the end of dec or beginning of jan. I always burn it (in the day time anyway) between 350-400 night time lower but I like to get it good and hot at least once every few days if not everyday. I am a little paranoid now so I wll clean it out next week ....I did the dryer vent this week.