Yesterday (10th March), East Sussex Fire and Rescue attended two chimney fires prompting a reminder to the public of the importance of chimney safety.
- At 08:09, crews from Herstmonceux and Eastbourne attended a fire in the chimney of a residential property on Hempstead Lane, Hailsham. Firefighters used a chimney kit to extinguish the fire.
- At 18:48, Eastbourne firefighters attended a chimney fire at a residential property on Ripe Lane, Ripe. The firefighters used a chimney kit and water buckets to extinguish the fire.
There are no reports of injuries from either incident.
Chimney Fire Prevention Tips
The number of chimney fires in the area have been slowly decreasing but even a small fire can cause significant damage and disruption. Fire isn't the only risk it's important to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that contains a solid fuel burning appliance.
- Make sure your chimney is swept regularly
- Chimneys should be swept according to the type of fuel used:
- Smokeless fuels - at least once a year
- Bitumous coal - at least twice a year
- Wood - quarterly when in use
- Oil - once a year
- Gas - once a year (Any work on gas appliances requires a Gas Safe registered installer/engineer)
- Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained
- Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
- Ensure the fire is extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house
- Ensure good quality fuel is used
- Never interrupt the air supply by blocking air vents or air bricks
Further information
Click here to find out even more on how to keep safe when using open fires.
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