Warning after chimney fire

She had suffered some minor burns on the back of her hand whilst trying to move a log from the fire.

Firefighters used a ladder to reach the fire and extinguished it safely.

With over 1000 chimney fires in Scotland each year, Group Manager Steve Gourlay for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service warns: “With the recent cold and inclement weather, people will be using open fires and their chimneys again. To help keep everyone safe from fire in the home, we would encourage taking necessary steps such as ensuring your chimney is swept regularly, and we would urge all householders to have a working smoke alarm in their home.

“Regular cleaning of a chimney is the best way of ensuring that you prevent a chimney fire in your home. Fires can start accidentally in your chimney as soot and fuel residues slowly build up over time and sometimes these leftovers can catch fire. If this happens, the chimney could send burning soot into your living room or start fires within the roof space or on other floors of the house.

“Open fires not only warm up a home, but also create a unique and relaxing ambience and as such are becoming more popular again in people’s homes. With the change in the weather, more people will be lighting up to keep warm during the colder nights. We would like householders to get sweeping and ensure their chimneys are safe by following these simple tips:”

 Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained

 Make sure embers are properly put out before you go to bed

 Always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers

 Ensure that you have a working smoke alarm fitted. This will give you give you the vital early warning if fire does break out.

Group Manager Gourlay added: “We provide FREE home fire safety visits, including the fitting of smoke alarms where required.”

Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire and request a home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999 or visit the website at www.firescotland.gov.uk.