Please check your chimneys!!!!!

[MNfarmer]

The fire dept. that I belong to was called to a chimney fire this morning. Fire went up into the attic and did some damage to the main floor. Consequently, the structure is no longer livable due to the fire damage and also water damage. PLEASE check your chimneys and stove pipe. It takes only seconds to check. If you aren't able to, have a neighbor or someone else check them for you. It isn't fun for us or the homeowner standing there with flurries coming down looking at a burned up house wondering where they will spend the rest of the winter!!

 

[thombat4]

Don't want that kind of wake up call...

What should I be looking for in particular? Would appreciate any advice from the fire dept.opcorn:

 

[Metals406]

Been there quite a few times when I was on the local Dept... Not a good thing for a homeowner to go through.

 

[MNfarmer]

Check the stove pipe to see if it is still in good condition. Over time it will rust and get thin and eventually burn through. We were called to another house fire a few years ago because an elbow in the stove pipe burned through. As far as the chimney.. it should have some kind of inspection door at the bottom. Look up it with a mirror to check for creosote build up. If there is a lot in there it should be swept out.