A View From Home

The Helenville Fire Department responded to, and extinguished a chimney fire at a residence in their fire district on Sunday January 13th. Firefighters responding to a chimney fire face some unique challenges. The use of water is contraindicated, the superheated water can cause damage to metal or crack the masonry. A snow covered roof can make navigation around the chimney difficult. It's important to rely on roof ladders, even without snow; since the spread of fire may cause structural degradation.

The department followed the success of this call by doing ladder drills on Monday January 14th. These drills focused on the use of ropes and harnesses for safe navigation and egress, along with the use of roof ladders and scene lighting.

As a homeowner, it's important to consider the dangers of a chimney fire. With high efficiency furnaces and modern technology changing the way we heat our homes, even with a wood burner, a chimney fire seems unlikely. Don't lulled into a sense of security, it would be false!

If you are using a wood stove, keep in mind that the combustion process is never complete. The smoke from a wood fire contains a tar like substance called creosote which will condense on surfaces at temperatures below 250 degrees Fahrenheit . When the temperature of creosote drops below 150 degrees the deposit on stove pipes and flues will become thick and sticky. Carbon from smoke will become trapped by the creosote, becoming very flammable as it dries and flakes. Although fireplaces are a risk, wood stoves are more of a concern for creosote buildup since the exhaust gases from stoves are cooler

You can reduce the buildup of creosote in an airtight stove by using small amounts of wood and stoking it more often, or by using larger pieces of wood. It can also be limited by leaving the air inlet or stove door slightly open after stoking. After the wood is reduced to charcoal, close the inlet as desired. This extra air completes combustion, generates more heat, and lowers the potential to form creosote.

Creosote build up can also be reduced by insulating the stove pipe, reducing the amount of bends between the stove and the chimney, and by using a new smaller flue or stainless steel stove pipe liner.

Be prepared! No system is completely safe and fire-proof. Make sure everyone in your home is familiar with the warning signs. If there is a chimney fire, you will hear sucking sounds, a loud roar and shaking pipes. Practice fire drills and instruct all mature members of your household how and when to use a fire extinguisher.

If you have a chimney fire:

1. Dial 911.

2. Get everyone out of the house and have them watch for sparks and signs of fire on the roof and surrounding area. If safety permits, one adult should stay in the house to check the
attic and upper floors for signs of fire.

3. Discharge a class ABC fire extinguisher or throw baking soda into the stove or fireplace. The chemical travels up and may extinguish the flame.

4. If the stove pipe joints are tight and no other device is connected to the same flue, close all openings. Close the damper in a stove that isn't air tight.

5. If this is a fireplace and you can do this without risking your life, carefully cut off the air supply by using a wet blanket or sheet metal to seal off the fireplace opening. Be careful since a strong draft can make this difficult and dangerous.

After the fire check the chimney for deterioration of the metal or masonry. If a chimney fire occurs once, it's very likely to happen again. Find the cause or call an expert to determine where the problem lies.

Creosote happens! Clean your chimney at least once a year. Some experts recommend cleaning it after every third cord of wood is burned, but at least once a year.