The incident took place on Thursday, January 4. As we read on the Facebook profile of the volunteer firefighters from Raciborowice (Warta Bolesławiecka municipality):
[...] several minutes after 8:00 p.m., we went to residents of Raciborowice Górne, where a chimney flue became unsealed. As a result, smoke was escaping into the living quarters, and a carbon monoxide detector indicated its presence.
Interestingly, it emerged that a chimney sweep had previously prohibited the use of this chimney. Firefighters from KP PSP Bolesławiec, volunteer firefighters from Raciborowice and Warta Bolesławiecka, and a police patrol took part in the operation.
Let us recall that, in connection with the heating season, firefighters have noticed an increased number of incidents caused by improper use of heating systems. “I would like to urge the residents of our county to follow the rules for operating heating appliances,” emphasizes junior brigadier Piotr Pilarczyk, deputy commander of the District Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec. This includes, among other things, burning appropriate materials in stoves and fireplaces, ventilating homes and, above all, having heating systems inspected regularly. “Safety is not something to economize on,” adds junior brigadier Pilarczyk.
It is worth bearing in mind that if it turns out that a chimney flue was the cause of a fire and it had not been inspected regularly, there is a risk that the insurer will not pay compensation.
What should you do if a chimney flue catches fire?
You should:
- notify the emergency services and provide the exact location of the incident
- determine whether people's lives are at risk
- if smoke is already entering the home, leave it. (And ventilate it if possible)
- if the fire has only just started, try to extinguish the stove or fireplace.