The Opportunities Presented By Chimney Fires

It’s that time of year again here in the mid-Atlantic region.  The time of year where the temperatures begin to dip down and folks begin to light their fireplaces to provide supplemental heat. Unfortunately many folks underestimate the importance of having their chimney cleaned and inspected annually.  Sometimes this underestimation leads to folks getting the experience of a fire department response at their residence for a “chimney fire”.  The response to “chimney fire” incidents provides us, the fire service, with many opportunities.  I am going to discuss a few of the opportunities these incidents provide us with and how we can utilize them to maximize our efficiency and effectiveness.  However, before I discuss the opportunities provided by a “chimney fire”, I’m going to spend a few moments identifying a “chimney fire”.

As discussed above, chimney fires often originate because chimney cleanings or inspections were neglected.  A chimney fire is caused by the build-up of creosote on the lining of the flue.  Creosote is highly combustible and will combust when exposed to the high temperature produced by the contents burning within the firebox.  Chimney fires are often characterized by flames shooting from the top of a chimney or by a roaring noise within the chimney.  Chimney fires may extend to the main structure, thus becoming a structural fire, through previous damage to the flue or chimney, damage caused by the current chimney fire, or poor construction.  There are several tactics utilized by the fire service to combat chimney fires usually involving dry chemical application to the burning creosote.  With that said, different methods are utilized throughout the country and it’s up to you and you department to determine which method works best for you.

The first opportunity chimney fires provide us with is the opportunity to perform the actions we utilize for structural fires in a real world environment.  When confined to the flue, a chimney fire is usually handled rather quickly however it’s good practice to assume the fire has extended until proven otherwise.  Response algorithms for chimney fires will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  For example: at work a chimney fire gets 2 Engines and 1 Truck/Tower Ladder, at my volunteer firehouse a chimney fire gets a full box alarm of 4 Engines, 2 Trucks, and a Rescue.  The actions taken by specific companies operating at chimney fires will vary based on the resources allocated to a chimney fire by your respective jurisdiction.  With that said, there are a few things companies can do regardless of how many resources they get: A water supply should be established and can be accomplished by performing a layout, securing your own hydrant, or by initiating a rural water supply plan.  Apparatus should be positioned, not parked.  A hoseline should be stretched by the first Engine Company.  The first arriving officer should give an on-scene report.  Somebody should give a proper Side Charlie report.  A company needs to go to the firebox and attempt to confirm the presence of a fire from the inside.  The interior walls that follow the path of the chimney should be checked for heat by hand and utilizing a TIC.  A company, the Truck’s inside team in a perfect world, needs to gain access to the attic as quickly as possible to check for extension.  Ladders need to go up on the building’s exterior and a company, the Truck’s exterior team in a perfect world, needs to go to the roof to attempt to confirm the presence of a fire from the top of the chimney.  These are actions that should be taken on every chimney fire event and will assist in maximizing your company’s efficiency and effectiveness.  If your jurisdiction sends multiple companies on chimney fires, an officer can establish command and appropriately track resources using your respective department’s method.  If the fire is confined to the flue, performing the actions served as “real-world” practice.  If the fire has extended, performing the actions will allow you to operate proactively instead of reactively.

The second opportunity chimney fires present us with is positive interaction with the citizens.  For many folks, a chimney fire will be the first “personal” interaction they have with the fire department.  There are things we can do to ensure this interaction is a positive one, therefore making a great first impression.  With the state of the economy, now is as important a time than ever for the fire service to gain advocates within the community.  Operating professionally and having positive interactions with the citizens will likely allow you to gain advocates.  When responding to chimney fires, take extra care not to cause unnecessary damage to the house.  As stated above, there are many actions we need to perform on chimney fires and some of these actions can cause damage if not done in a careful manner.  Extinguish the fire in the firebox and use a metal salvage bin to remove the contents.  While doing this, utilize hall runners to avoid dropping hot ashes on the carpet.  Keep track of the screws for the chimney cap on the roof so that it can be properly reinstalled.  Use care to avoid beating up the walls with our PPE, SCBA, and equipment.  Clean up insulation that drops down when you enter the attic to check for extension and any other messes you may make.  Keep the homeowner informed of your actions and the reasons you are taking these actions(most don’t understand why we would do all the things we do for a “simple” chimney fire).  Thoroughly check for extension and ensure extinguishment is complete before taking up.  Explain to the citizen the conditions you found, the actions you took, and the actions they need to take(call a chimney sweep before utilizing the fireplace again).  Taking advantage of the opportunity to have a positive interaction with the citizens will go a long way and help to ensure your department is viewed as professionals. FYI, it has nothing to do with getting pay check.

The third opportunity chimney fires present us with is something that every incident presents: the opportunity to look foolish and/or get hurt/killed.  Every incident we respond to involves some level of risk.  It’s our job to manage these risks by performing our job in the proper manner, which allows us to remain effective.  I’m going to talk about a few things I’ve seen or done that made someone, or myself, look foolish or could have caused injury:

One night about ten years ago, a chimney fire occurred on a cold, wet evening in the neighborhood I grew up in.  I responded on the Truck and was sent to the roof.  The roof was about an 8/12 pitch and was extremely slick due to the weather.  The run of the roof was longer than the 16’ roof ladder we were attempting to utilize, so I had to traverse part of the roof to get the roof ladder to the peak.  It was slick, but I made it.  I checked the chimney and found a small fire which was extinguished utilizing PPV and a dry chemical extinguisher from below.  As I was operating on the roof, I noticed my parents had shown up in the street as they were tuned in to the scanner at home and decided to take in the run.  I’m certain this doesn’t surprise anyone who knows my father and if anybody wonders where I get it from, I guess you don’t have to wonder anymore.  Anyways, after we confirmed the fire was out we start the trek down the roof.  While attempting to get the roof ladder off of the peak, I started sliding down the slick roof.  I tried to dig in to the roof and stop myself but couldn’t.  I slid until I flipped over and laid flat on the roof.  Another firefighter assisted me by serving as a foot-hold, which allowed me to get the ladder down.  Nonetheless I looked foolish in front of my parents and nearly slid off a roof because I didn’t take the time to get the 20’ roof ladder.

I have seen somebody check the chimney from the roof by placing their face over the chimney instead of using a mirror.  They were extremely lucky and didn’t receive burns.

I have seen a firefighter fall through the attic while checking for extension.  Fortunately they were not injured, unfortunately they caused a lot of damage to the home.

I have used a dry chemical extinguisher that did not have the hose clamped tightly to the extinguisher which resulted in my involuntary inhalation and consumption of dry chemical.  Needless to say, I now check to make sure the hoses on extinguishers are properly secured before I use them.

I have seen a company put the burning contents of the firebox in a salvage bin while PPV was taking place, which resulted in embers being blown throughout the lower level of the house.  Fortunately they didn’t burn the house down, though they did burn holes in the carpet.

Hopefully this post helps you to take advantage of the positive opportunities, and avoid the negative opportunities, that chimney fires present the fire service.  Every incident we respond to provides us with opportunities, it’s up to us to determine what we do with these opportunities.  Efficient and effective fire companies are able to identify, and take full advantage of, good opportunities they are presented with.