Chimney Fire a Reminder, Chief Says

With the temperature dropping, fire officials are warning homeowners to have their chimneys cleaned before they light a fire.

Last Thursday evening, one East Hampton homeowner found that out the hard way. The East Hampton Fire Department was called to 16 Prospect Boulevard in Northwest at 7:40 p.m. after the room filled with smoke. The homeowner removed some of the excess burning wood — which Chief Gerard Turza cautions against doing — and ran outside with it, at which point he saw flames coming out of the chimney.  

Firefighters found flames and embers coming from the top of the chimney, said Chief Turza. They used ladders to access the roof and extinguished the fire, then used a special brush to clear the chimney of excess creosote, which had built up along its lining.

Meanwhile, “a team of firefighters inside the house covered furniture with tarps and moved belongings while extinguishing the remains of the evening fire in the fireplace,” Chief Turza said. 

Damage was contained to the chimney cap, he said. There were no injuries, either to the homeowner or the firefighters.

“We’d like to remind homeowners to have their fireplaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected prior to using them, as the weather is changing,” Chief Turza said. The National Fire Protection Association recommends having chimneys, fireplaces, and vents inspected once a year. 

East Hampton firefighters put out another blaze on Monday evening, this time a car fire on Queens Lane, near East Hampton Drive. The passenger compartment of an older model Mercedes sport utility vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when they responded to the 9:20 p.m. alarm. The driver reported smelling smoke and seeing flames in the Mercedes before pulling over.

Firefighters made quick work of the blaze, Chief Turza said. The East Hampton Town Fire Marshal’s office investigated the cause, which was said to be a cigarette. No injuries were reported.