This is another chimney soot fire during the current heating season. Firefighters from OSP Tomaszów Bolesławiecki, OSP Warta Bolesławiecka and PSP Bolesławiec took part in the firefighting operation in Wilczy Las.

Chimney fire in Wilczy Las

Important information about chimneys and the heating season can be found on the PSP Bolesławiec website:

Damaged or blocked chimneys, faulty ventilation or heating appliances, as well as an improper connection to the chimney or no connection at all, are the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.

Each year, the heating season is associated with an increased number of fires caused by the improper use of heating appliances powered by solid fuels, electricity and gas. In addition to material losses, these fires pose a serious threat to people’s lives or health, especially since some fires are connected with the use of heating appliances at night or appliances left unattended by adults.

Before the heating season, the technical condition of heating appliances and flues should be inspected, paying particular attention to whether:

  • the chimney flue is unobstructed,
  • there is no damage to the chimney,
  • wooden roof structures or other combustible parts of the building structure have not been introduced into the chimney,
  • flue pipes do not pass without protection through combustible ceilings, walls or roofs,
  • hearths have been properly connected to chimney and ventilation ducts,
  • combustible materials are not stored within less than 0.5 m of cleanout and inspection doors.

Owners, managers or users of buildings where solid, liquid or gaseous fuel is burned are required to remove contaminants from flues and exhaust ducts:

  • from hearths fired with solid fuel (wood, coal, etc.) – at least four times a year,
  • from hearths fired with liquid and gaseous fuel – at least twice a year,
  • from hearths in collective catering and food-service establishments – at least once a month.

Contaminants from ventilation ducts in the aforementioned buildings should be removed at least once a year.