What to Know About Chimney Fires

If you can’t remember the last time your chimney was cleaned, go ahead and call a professional to give it a once-over. A thick buildup called creosote accumulates inside the chimney every time you burn a fire, becoming more difficult to remove over time. Creosote is extremely flammable, and once it catches, it can reach extremely high temperatures. Chimney fires can cause a ton of damage and risk catching the rest of the house on fire.

How to Prevent Chimney Fires

Every year, an estimated 25,000 chimney fires occur in the US, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Prevention goes a long way to keeping your home safe from smoke and fire damage:

• Minimize creosote buildup: Your fireplace should only be used to burn dry, seasoned wood, ideally from hardwood trees. Wood should be dried for at least six months. If you’re not sure whether your wood is ready to burn, use a wood moisture meter to check that the moisture content is below 20%. Don’t use your fireplace to burn paper or wet wood, and keep the fire hot; hot, fast-burning fires produce less creosote.
• Install a chimney cap: These little caps over the top of the chimney prevent nesting animals, organic material, and rainwater from entering.
• Insulate and line your chimney: Liners are protective tubes that guard against heat and corrosion, and keep a more efficient upward draft. They are especially useful for older homes with compromised chimney structures. Insulation around the liner keeps heat in the flue and prevents rapid cooling. This helps reduce creosote buildup.
• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected: Add this to your list of annual home maintenance duties, especially if you burn a lot of fires. Only a trained professional should clean the chimney. Creosote is dangerous, it requires special tools to remove, and the flue and chimney liner can be easily damaged. A technician will also check to make sure your chimney liner and structure are sound.

What is Creosote?

Creosote builds up inside the chimney, resulting in a substance that can range from sticky and tar-like, to flaky black dust, to a hard material that shines like glass. It’s made from organic compounds, gases, and wood particles that condense inside a cool chimney.

Creosote buildup is the main cause of chimney fires, but they can also start from:

• Blocked flues: Sometimes animals nest inside a chimney using sticks, twigs, leaves, and other flammable material, or other material drifted down from overhanging trees.
• Structural damage: If your chimney is cracked or mortar is missing, floating embers or sparks, or high heat could reach the attic or wall interiors and ignite them.
• Chimney liner failure: Unlined chimneys, or chimneys with poorly installed or damaged liners, allow excessive heat to reach combustible structures.

Types of Chimney Fires

Not every chimney fire is as obvious as you think. There are two types to know about:

1. Slow-burning: These are the most common type of chimney fire. They are quiet and less noticeable, often without visible flames from the chimney top. Sometimes these fires burn for hours without the homeowner being aware, reaching hundreds of degrees and posing great risk to surrounding structures. They produce thin, strong-smelling smoke and can cause backdrafts, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the home.
2. Fast-burning: These extremely dangerous fires can be very dramatic and hard to miss. Some describe the sound as similar to a jet engine, while it can also produce loud cracking, popping, or banging. Flames or sparks may shoot from the chimney top and be accompanied by thick, very pungent smoke. Temperatures can exceed 2000˚F and easily ignite surrounding structures or even cause chimney explosions. The extreme heat can seriously damage the chimney, making it unsafe for future use.

 What To Do If a Chimney Fire Has Started

If you suspect a chimney fire has begun, or a neighbor has notified you of flames or excessive smoke, don’t assume the fire will burn itself out — act fast:

• Try not to panic and call 911 immediately.
• Evacuate everyone in the home and move them to a safe location.
• If possible, close the damper.
• If possible, put out the fire in the firebox (the fireplace itself) using sand, baking soda, or a fire extinguisher — do not use water.

 What To Do After a Chimney Fire

Once a chimney fire has happened, your chimney, roof, or entire home may be severely damaged. Professional fire cleanup services can eliminate smoke damage and provide restorations to the roof, chimney, and home.

• Only go inside when safe: First things first, do not enter the home until the fire is completely out. Wait for first responders to clear the area and confirm you may go back inside.
• Document everything: Take photos and videos of any damage and save receipts of any temporary housing or other services you may need. This will be important when it comes time to file with insurance.
• Contact a trusted fire restoration company: even if the fire was small, the chimney may have cracked, the liner could be severely damaged, metal could be warped, heat or fire damage may have occurred, or even water damage from firefighting. Fire restoration services will secure your home, remove and repair damaged structures, eliminate odors, clean, and rebuild.

Don’t Worry: You Have a Trusted Partner for Cleanup

If a chimney fire has happened to your home, Dry Ally is there to help every step of the way. From emergency tarping and protection to prevent additional damage from weather, to full fire and smoke cleanup, and complete restoration services, we make sure your home is safe, smoke-free, and restored to its pre-fire condition, quickly and professionally.