The incident occurred on Sunday, April 24. Volunteer firefighters from Wierzbowa:
[...] after 2:30 p.m., we were dispatched to a chimney fire in our town.
They added:
Our actions consisted of extinguishing the furnace, checking the rooms for fire gases and putting out the chimney fire.
Firefighters from Wierzbowa, Gromadka and Bolesławiec took part in the operation. Fortunately, no one was injured.
As reported by the Bolesławiec County Headquarters of the State Fire Service:
In view of the increasing number of call-outs to chimney fires during the heating season, we appeal strongly to all residents of Bolesławiec County to exercise increased caution and vigilance when using all heating appliances, particularly those burning solid fuels such as coal and wood.
Bolesławiec firefighters:
- Regular chimney cleaning is the basis of prevention. Neglecting this duty causes soot to settle on the inner walls of the chimney and gradually clog it. A layer of soot just a few millimetres thick may already cause an unwanted fire.
- Let us choose good-quality fuel, both for the furnace and the fireplace.
- Have the chimney inspected and cleaned before the start of the heating season and at least once every three months. This should be entrusted to an authorised person—a chimney sweep.
What should you do if a fire breaks out?
Firefighters:
- Remember that in the event of a chimney fire, you must immediately extinguish the fire in the furnace and call the fire service.
- Close the air supply to the furnace and continuously observe the entire length of the chimney. (These actions cause the soot to gradually go out).
- Before the fire service arrives, it is advisable to provide access to all rooms through which the chimney flue runs.
- Restricting the air supply may also cause more carbon monoxide to form in the furnace, so windows should be opened slightly.
It can end in tragedy
Firefighters warn:
A soot fire can end with a fire engulfing the entire house. If the chimney flue loses its seal during the fire, the flames will begin spreading to everything adjacent to it. The fire may then reach the attic and roof.
Hot air may push burning pieces of soot out of the chimney, and these, carried by the wind, may also reach other buildings.
They added: “If a soot fire is brought under control in time, it may end with only an inspection, cleaning or repair of the chimney flue by an authorised person. Nevertheless, until the damage has been assessed by a chimney sweep, heating appliances connected to the chimney in which the soot burned must not be used.”