Chimney Fire.wmv

We responded to this chimney fire call on 3/6/10. The homeowner was away (it had been called in by a passerby), but had left a window unlatched, so we were able to gain access without doing any forcible entry. We used a thermal imaging camera to check for possible fire both inside and outside the residence. There was no smoke inside, however the chimney was completely blocked by creosote. We were able to break up the blockage and used the external clean-out to get the creosote out. This was accomplished with no damage to the home or chimney.

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[kenfo0]

I don't get it? Does the homeowner get charged for you coming out? Does insurance pay for it? If not, darn nice of you to clean out the chimney....may call the FD to do mine....

[ColchesterFire]

@kenfo0 Sorry for the delay in replying! No, the homeowner does not get charged for us coming out. We are only using that tool to break through the creosote blockage that usually occurs during a chimney fire. We always make a point of telling the homeowner he needs to have his chimney cleaned and inspected.

[kenfo0]

@ColchesterFire thx for reply. i was just kidding about calling FD. I clean mine 2-3x a season and use "soot/creosote" chems once in a while. People may claim the soot/creo removers don't work, but I've had to burn fairly "wet" wood periodically and have NO creosote in the pipe leading to the chimney (just a brown dust). A friend who does not use the chem had caked on creosote in his pipe. Part of that is probably also burning a reasonably hot fire every day for 1/2hr too...