What Causes Chimney Fires?
                     How Do Chimney Fires Start
Nothing can chase the feeling of sitting in a cozy room and enjoying the
warm, lightning glow coming from your fireplace during the winters. But
what  if  you  suddenly  notice  something  is  happening  wrong  with  your
chimney. The flames start shooting up into the flue, and the debris sparks
and rains down on the grate. If you experience this kind of situation, you
might be dealing with a chimney fire. Beyond damaging your chimney, the
chimney fire can also spread to your home and may lead to injuries or death
and extensive property damage. But you may prevent it by taking complete
precautions.
What Causes Chimneys Fire
The significant cause that enables chimney fire is creosote buildup. Now,
the  next  question  will  be,  what  is  creosote?  It  is  a  highly  flammable
substance that is a by-product of incomplete combustion. As soon as the
product flows through the chimney, they condense on its  inner wall  and
form creosote.  Leaving your chimney uncleaned for  so long can lead to
more inevitable problems. The availability of creosote in the chimney can
catch  fire  as  soon  as  it  reaches  extreme  temperature.  Therefore,  it  is
advisable to hire specialists in  chimney cleaning in Sacramento to avoid
further problems.
Apart from the accumulation of creosote in the chimney, numerous other
causes are there leading to chimney fires, and they are as follows:
 Availability of debris inside the chimney, like bird nests, leaves, twigs
 Extensive temperature
 Creation of sparks through burning out from inappropriate materials
 Structural problems
 A poorly designed flue that contains fireplace heat inadequately
Responding to Chimney Fire
Get everyone out:
The first  substantial  step  you should  take  during this  situation  is  to  get
everyone  out  of  the  house.  Once  you  have  ensured  everyone  is  safe,
immediately call the firefighters.
Wet down the chimney:
As soon as you observe the fire is not burning in the grate, use the hose to
wet the chimney. Moreover, you can also use a gentle spray or fine mist to
moisten the residues of the fire without creating any additional damage.
Clean the wood and ashes:
Once you have hosed down the chimney and the fire is out, use a fireplace
shovel  to  clear  the  smoldering  debris  and  ensure  it's  completely
extinguished.
Complete the process by fire extinguisher:
Make use of an extinguishing agent to clear the fireplace, By following the
manufacturer's guidelines. It helps put down the chimney fire by quickly
releasing its fire suppressants.
Besides these, it is imperative to call the fireplace and chimney inspection
professionals  to  determine  the  exact  cause  of  the  fire  and  analyze  the
damage. You might need to get your chimney repaired or replaced to use it
again efficiently.
Preventing Chimney Fire
We all know that maintenance of anything could extend its life for years and
saves from significant damages that cost hefty amounts. You can prevent the
chimney  fire  by  maintaining  it  periodically.  Every  chimney  must  be
inspected once a year by professionals to lower the risks of a chimney fire.
By  following  the  guidelines  outlined  below,  you  can  easily  prevent  the
chimney fire.
 By using dry and seasoned wood, you can minimize smoke and soot.
 To reduce creosote formation in the chimney, burn smaller fires.
 Keep the damper fully opened to maximize the air supply.
 While operating, leave the doors of protective fiberglass open.
 Never burn the substances like plastic, paper, rubber, or fabric in the
fireplace. Doing so might lead to a worse situation.
 Observe the early signs of the chimney and get it inspected by calling
the pros.
Source: https://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/a-1-chimney-
sweeps2-sacramento-ca/2022/4/How-Do-Chimney-Fires-Start/
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