What To Do In Case Of A Chimney Fire

1. Call the fire department. Hopefully the fire will be out before they get there, but you will want them to inspect the structure and make sure there is no latent damage or hazard.
2. If you have a chimney fire, use a chemical flare type fire extinguisher. If you don’t have an extinguisher, go to the next step. After the excitement is over , buy one
3. If you have a stove, close off the air inlets. If you have a fireplace with glass doors, close the doors and vents. If you have an open fireplace, go to the next step. Do not attempt to close the damper. This could pose a danger to you.
4. Go outside and hose down the roof surrounding the chimney. Do not wet the chimney itself or try to put water down the flue. Not only will it make a mess of your house where the water comes out the other end,
but it will very likely damage the flue tiles.
5. After the firemen leave, call a chimney professional to get your chimney inspected for damages and document the findings for insurance purposes before cleaning. Chances are the fireman will condemn the chimney until you have it inspected. A dangerous myth is that a chimney fire will leave your chimney clean – this is not true. The truth is, the fire will compound the problem by causing the creosote present to expand and honeycomb. This could cause a blockage, and also prepare a better surface for more creosote to collect on. Then it will be more likely to ignite again with much less provocation. If the chimney is inspected by a professional, he can clean the chimney and look for cracked or damaged flue tiles and recommend a solution for repair if necessary.
6. It’s also important to document the fire and talk to your insurance agent. Your insurance company may help to cover the cost of repairing your chimney, but you have to prove there was a fire and that the chimney was damaged. Be sure to get a report from the fire department, your chimney professional, and get the names of your neighbors or other people who may have been at the scene. Be sure to contact your insurance agent right away.