The Sound of a Freight Train Could Mean a Fire in the Chimney

A teenager living at a residence on Old Fawn Hill Road heard a sound at around 7:45 Wednesday night and knew something was wrong. He went outside and saw flames shooting from the top of the chimney and called 911.

Then he properly used an extinguisher to put out most of the fire in the fireplace, before firefighters put the rest of the fire out — then removed the contents and inspected the chimney from the top down to confirm that it was completely out, according to spokesman Kevin Catalano.

On Thursday, Catalano said the teenager did everything right, adding that firefighters wanted to share some fire safety tips when it comes to maintaining fireplaces and chimneys.

"It is important to recognize the signs that you have a fire in your chimney, which can ultimately spread into the house often via the attic or roof," Catalano said. "There typically will be a loud sound, often described like a freight train. From the outside of the house, look for any of the following signs: flames or steady embers emitting from the chimney, thick and steady dark gray or black smoke coming from the chimney, smoke coming from cracks in the bricks of the chimney, or a fresh looking black tar-like or oily substance on the bricks."

He said the tar-like substance is the creosote that is built up in the chimney lining that causes the fire.

Other tips offered by local firefighters include:

• Homeowners who actively use their wood burning stoves and fireplaces should have their chimneys inspected and cleaned annually and should install a metal rain-cap or spark resistor on the top of the chimney, which will help prevent flying embers from igniting the house and will keep bird and squirrel nests out of the chimney flue. Metal fireplace screens also should be in place inside.
• Once cool, log remnants and ashes should be placed in a metal bucket, soaked with water as necessary, and discarded as far away from the house as possible.
• Working smoke detectors should be present on each floor of the house and near each bedroom.
• It is extremely important to make sure that first responders can locate your house in an emergency. Both your mailbox and your house should be labeled with large numbers (preferably reflective). In the case of Old Fawn Hill Road (a one-lane dirt road), the mailboxes are grouped together at the beginning of the road and some of the houses are located far off the roadway. In this case, numbered driveway markers would help. We also recommend having someone from your residence stand at the base of the driveway to flag down emergency vehicles.

Two engines, a ladder truck, the chief and deputy chief handled the call on Wednesday night.