The Warning Signs of a Chimney Fire You Need To Be Aware Of

You may think that a chimney fire is something that only happens to other people, but the reality is that it can happen to anyone. If you’re not familiar with the warning signs of a chimney fire, it’s essential to learn them so that you can take action if one starts in your home.

Local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.4 million fires in the United States in 2020.  An additional 3,500 civilian fire fatalities and 15,200 reported civilian fire injuries were attributed to these blazes. A total of $21.9 billion was lost in property damage.

Knowing what to look for could save you and your family from a potentially dangerous situation. So keep reading for more information on the warning signs of a chimney fire.

What is a Chimney Fire?

A chimney fire is a dangerous event that can occur when a buildup of soot and creosote in your chimney ignites. This happens when the byproducts of combustion are not adequately vented out of your home and instead accumulate on the inner walls of your chimney.

While small fires may burn themselves out quickly, larger ones can cause extensive damage to your chimney and even spread to the rest of your home. In some cases, a chimney fire can even cause the collapse of your chimney.

There are two types of chimney fires: smoldering and flaming.

1. Smoldering or Slow-Burning Chimney Fire

A smoldering fire burns slowly and produces a lot of smoke. These fires are often hard to detect because they do not produce flames visible from outside your home.

2. Flaming or Fast-Burning Chimney Fire

The second type of chimney fire is a flaming or fast-burning fire. These fires burn quickly and produce flames visible from outside your home.

What Causes a Chimney Fire?

Multiple factors can contribute to a chimney fire. Some of the most common include:

Creosote Build-up

Creosote buildup is the most common cause of chimney fires. Creosote is a byproduct of combustion that sticks to the walls of your chimney. If not removed, it can accumulate and become a fire hazard.

Creosote exists in three stages or degrees:

• Stage one: Flammable but not yet hazardous.
• Stage two: Slightly more dangerous; a fire will start more readily.
• Stage three: This is the most hazardous stage of creosote buildup and should be addressed immediately.

Flue Blockage

Your flue is part of your chimney that vents smoke and gases from your home. A blocked chimney flue can be caused by anything from a bird’s nest to excessive soot buildup.

Poor Ventilation

If your chimney is not adequately ventilated, it can cause combustion byproducts to build up and eventually ignite.

Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous combustion is a rare but potential cause of chimney fires. This occurs when flammable materials spontaneously catch fire without an external ignition source.

Improper Use of Fireplace

The improper use of your fireplace is another potential cause. For example, burning trash in your fireplace can create hazardous conditions that lead to a fire.

Animal Nests

Birds, squirrels, and other animals often build nests in chimneys because they are sheltered from the elements. These nests can block your flue and cause a fire if not removed.

Faulty and Leaky Chimney

Faulty components and leaks can allow water and other elements to enter your chimney. This can create hazardous conditions that lead to a fire.

How To Tell If Your Chimney Is On Fire (Early Signs)

As outlined earlier, there are two types of chimney fires: smoldering and flaming.

The following are early signs of a fast-burning chimney fire:

1. Flickering flames in your fireplace

Flickering flames in your fireplace that seem to be beyond a typical fire you set in the firebox are a sign that something is wrong. If you see this, acting quickly is essential to avoid damage.

2. Loud crackling or popping sound

These loud, alarming sounds happen as the flames begin to ignite the creosote on the walls of your chimney.

3. Large amount of dense smoke

If you see a large amount of dense smoke coming from your chimney, it’s a sign that a fire is burning inside the flue. This smoke is often difficult to see during the night but can be seen easily during the day.

4. Hot smell coming from your fireplace

When a fast-burning fire ignites, you may also notice a “hot” burning smell coming from your fireplace. This is caused by the burning of the creosote on the walls of your chimney.

5. An increase in the temperature of your room

Fireplaces are designed to radiate heat into your home. However, if you notice an increase in the temperature of your room, it’s a sign that a fire is burning up in the chimney, where you can’t see it.

In the event of a fast-burning chimney fire, you need to call 911 immediately!

Early Signs of a Chimney Fire (Slow-Burning)

The following are early signs of a slow-burning chimney fire:

1. Puffy creosote

Puffy creosote is a sign of a slow-burning chimney fire. Because creosote is a byproduct of combustion, it becomes puffy when heated by a fire.

2. Excessive soot on the walls of your chimney

If you see more than a thin layer of soot on the walls of your chimney, it could be a sign that a slow-burning fire is taking place.

3. Cracked flue tiles

When flue tiles snap, they allow heat to escape, which can cause the tiles to become brittle and eventually break.

4. Discolored and distorted chimney cap

The heat can cause the chimney cap to become discolored and distorted when you have a slow-burning chimney fire. This happens because the metal of the chimney cap expands when heated by the fire.

5. Roof damage

In this case, the damage is usually caused by the heat of the fire rather than the flames. If you see any damage to your roof, you could have a slow-burning chimney fire.

6. Ground roofing material damage

The heat from the fire can cause the shingles, TV antennas, and other objects around the chimney to become warped or discolored.

7. Smoke in the house

If you see smoke coming from your electrical outlets, windows, or doors, it’s a sign that a slow-burning chimney fire is taking place.

Call a professional to inspect your chimney if you see any of these signs. A slow-burning chimney fire can cause severe damage to your home, so it’s essential to have it checked as soon as possible.

What Are the Dangers of a Chimney Fire?

Chimney fires bring several dangers. Some of them include:

Toxic Gasses and Smoke

When a chimney fire occurs, it releases toxic gases and smoke. These gasses can include carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to your health.

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It is an invisible gas that can cause serious health problems and even death without any warning signs. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to protect yourself from exposure to this potentially deadly gas.

Structural Damage

The intense heat from the fire can cause the bricks and mortar of your chimney to crack and crumble, which can lead to severe damage.

Spread of Fire

Fire can spread very quickly. If a chimney fire is not put out right away, it can spread to the rest of your home and cause even more damage.

Risk of Injury

Of course, another danger of a chimney fire is the risk of injury. The intense heat and flames can cause severe burns, and the smoke can be harmful to your lungs.

Thus, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of a chimney fire and take steps to prevent it from occurring in your home. If you think your chimney may be on fire, it’s crucial to call 911, and the fire department immediately and evacuate your home.

What to Do if You Have a Chimney Fire

If you have a chimney fire, take action immediately to extinguish the flames and prevent further damage. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Contact the fire department

Contacting the fire department and 911 is always the first step when you have a fire. They will be able to assess the situation and put out the fire quickly and efficiently.

2. Get out of the house

The moment you realize the fire is too big to handle on your own, it’s essential to get out of the house as quickly as possible. Make sure everyone in the house is aware of the situation and knows to evacuate.

If the fire is still small, you might have a limited window of time to try the following options.

3. If you have a stove, don’t pour water on the fire

If you have a stove, it’s important not to pour water on the fire as this can cause the appliance to explode. Instead, try to smother the flames with a blanket or use a fire extinguisher. Note that you should only try this if the fire is very small and contained. Fires can get out of control very quickly! 

4. Shut all flue dampers and air vents

If you have a stove, all the flue dampers and air vents must be closed to prevent the fire from spreading. This is because the open flue allows oxygen to reach the fire, which will make it worse.

5. Move flammable material away from the fire

This is only advisable if the fire is small and you are confident you can extinguish it yourself. If the fire is large, drop everything and get out of the house.

6. Contact a professional to inspect your chimney

Once the fire is extinguished, contacting a professional to inspect your chimney is essential. They will be able to identify any damage and make any necessary repairs.

Safety Tips to Prevent Chimney Fires

There are a few things you can do to prevent chimney fires:

1. Book Annual Chimney Inspection and Chimney Sweep Services

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having your fireplace, vents, and chimney inspected and cleaned once a year by professional chimney sweep services is essential.

Booking such services for your chimney from a certified professional is one of the best ways to prevent chimney fires. They will be able to identify and fix any potential problems before they become a fire hazard.

2. Use Dry, Seasoned Wood

This type of wood burns more slowly and produces less soot and creosote, which can build up and cause a fire.

On the other hand, wet and unseasoned wood contains about 30% water content and produces more smoke, leading to creosote buildup. 

3. Don’t Overload Your Fireplace

This means only adding a few logs at a time and making sure they’re not too big. Overloading your fireplace can cause the fire to spread to the chimney, which could lead to a fire.

4. Don’t Burn Trash or Cardboard

Another way to prevent chimney fires is by not burning:

• cardboard boxes
• wrapping paper
• trash
• Christmas trees

5. Use Creosote Logs

These logs are specifically designed to help reduce the amount of creosote buildup in your chimney, which helps reduce the risk of a chimney fire.

6. Install a Chimney Cap

Chimney caps help keep debris and animals out of your chimney, which can clog it and cause a fire.

7. Use Proper Ventilation

Using adequate ventilation when burning a fire in your fireplace means opening the flue to allow the smoke to escape and not blocking it with furniture or other objects.

8. Don’t Leave a Fire Unattended

This means not going to bed or leaving the house while there’s still a fire in your fireplace. Make sure you’re always supervising your fire and taking the necessary precautions to prevent a fire from happening.

9. Know Your Fireplace and Use It Properly

Knowing your fireplace anatomy means understanding how your fireplace works and using it properly.

For example, you should never use flammable liquids to start a fire in your fireplace. This could easily lead to a chimney fire. Additionally, it would be best to keep your manufacturer’s instructions handy so that you can refer to them if needed.

10. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These detectors can help alert you to a fire in your chimney and allow you to extinguish it before it causes any damage. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential to any home safety plan.

Conclusion

A chimney fire can be a serious event. Therefore, it’s essential to identify the early signs of a chimney fire so that you can take action and prevent a larger, more dangerous fire from happening.

While it’s important to be aware of the warning signs of a chimney fire, it’s also crucial to have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly. Schedule an appointment with professional chimney sweep services at least once a year.

This will ensure your fireplace, chimney, and vents are in good working order and not prone to chimney fires.