Chimney Fire in Prairie Village, KS Captured on Camera

 

A chimney fire occurred in February of 2023 in the 4600 block of West 82^nd St, Prairie Village Kansas. The neighbor captured photos of the fire department putting out the fire and sent them to us. The neighbor happens to be a client of HearthMasters. Since it is not common to get photos of chimney fires while they are in progress, we decided to post this event in order to warn people about the dangers of chimney fires.

Chimney fires occur when flammable creosote ignites inside a smoke chamber or flue due to an errant spark, a fire that is too large, or the use of paper, which can be pulled upward by draft and ignite the creosote. The amount of creosote inside the flue, along with draft, will determine how long the fire keeps going.

Most chimney fires are extinguished by expanding creosote, and often homeowners are unaware that they occurred. The damage may be found later by a chimney sweep. The interior and exterior of a chimney may be severely damaged by expansion and contraction caused by the heat of a chimney fire, making it unusable, and causing thousands of dollars of damage. Chimney fire damage is covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Some chimney fires are noticed at the time the occur, and that is when the fire department is called to put it out. Homeowners should always call the fire department when a fire occurs because it might not be contained inside the chimney if there are any breechings in the masonry or if combustible framing is incorrectly installed next to the chimney, which unfortunately happens too often. 

One of our customers stayed up all night watching his house after a chimney fire occurred, and had to call the fire department back three times because it kept reigniting combustible framing in the wall area. Had he not stayed up the house may have burned completely, 

After a chimney fire has occurred, the chimney should be inspected by a qualified professional chimney sweep using a chimney camera. If damages are found, which is very likely, the sweep should document the damages with photos and a written evaluation report for insurance purposes. Homeowners should not attempt to remove burnt creosote or do an inspection themselves.

Close up of firemen on the roof

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Marge Padgitt is president of HearthMasters, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. She is the author of The Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource Book and Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking. www.chimkc.com