Preventing Chimney Fires

The Division Chief for Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue says a little maintenance to your chimney before the heating season could help prevent a chimney fire. Chimney fires damaged a home in Brandon and destroyed one in the Town of Ashford over the New Year’s holiday weekend. Troy Haase says like your furnace a chimney for your fireplace or woodstove needs maintenance to make sure creosote doesn’t build up, which can cause a fire. He also recommends using dry wood and using hardwoods. Haase points out smoke will back up into a room if you are experiencing a chimney fire. That will occur in a basement or side walls. He says if you take care of your woodstove or fireplace they are safe ways to heat a home or room.