Chimney fire

Following a fire at a house in Rochdale people using real fires and burners during the cold snap are reminded to check they are clean before lighting them.

Red Watch firefighters from Rochdale and Oldham were sent to the terraced house on Joy Street in Syke at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, January 22.

There were no smoke alarms in the house so crews carried out a Home Safety Check – which included the fitting of two smoke alarms.

Firefighters used specialist equipment to ensure the fire was out properly - luckily it was contained to the chimney.

David Acton, Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire Authority, said: "Cleaning a chimney is extremely important to prevent potential house fires - without the correct maintenance a chimney can become dangerous.

"To keep yourself and your family safe from fire, chimneys should be swept regularly. If the worst should happen, remember having a working smoke alarm could give you the extra time to escape if a fire broke out in your home."

As well as preventing a fire at home ensuring that your chimney is looked after could also save you a load of money - with some home insurers no longer paying out for fire damage caused by chimneys that haven’t been maintained.

Regular maintenance requirements of your chimney will depend on the fuel you burn and the guidance frequencies are:

• Smokeless coals - at least once a year
• Wood - up to four times a year
• Bituminous coal - twice a year
• Oil - once a year
• Gas - once a year

Further tips for those with open fires and chimneys:

• Have the chimney swept before lighting the first fire of winter
• Don't allow soot or ash to build up
• Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure it is sound and that sparks or fumes can't escape through cracks or broken bricks
• Use a fireguard
• Don't overload the grate or build fires too high
• Let fires burn down well before going to bed and check the hearth, floor and furnishings near the fire for sparks or embers

For more information about maintaining your chimney go to The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps’ website: http://www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk/safety_info.php