Three chimney fires in Newbury area spark sweep chimneys warning
One of the chimney fires forced the closure of Kings Road,adjacent to Sainsbury’s, whilst specialist equipment was brought in.
Firefighters recently (Mar 19) brought in a hydraulic platform to tackle the fire, at a terraced house in Kings Road..
According to Bob Mitchell, watch manager of Red Watch at Newbury Fire Station, one pump from Newbury Fire Station and a hydraulic platform from Basingstoke Fire Station were called at 11.30am to the blaze, confined to the chimney flue.
No-one was hurt.
Thames Valley Police closed the road for a brief period, to enable the fire service to manoeuvre the hydraulic platform into place.
The cause was put down to a build up of debris in the flue and firefighters left the scene at 1.15pm.
Newbury firefighters were also called to a chimney fire in Newport Road the day before (Mar 18).
According to Richard Young, the watch manager of Green Watch at Newbury Fire Station, one pump was called at 10pm to a semi-detached house.
The fire was contained to the chimney and firefighters used rods to extinguish the blaze.
“It caused quite a bit of smoke in the immediate area,” said Mr Young.
There was no damage to the property and no-one was hurt.
The cause was put down to a build up of soot.
Firefighters left the scene after about 45 minutes but were then called out to a third chimney fire on Sunday Mar 24), at a semi-detached house in Mount Road, Thatcham.
According to watch manager of Blue Watch at Newbury Fire Station, Lee Glover, one pump was called at 2.15pm to the fire: “Flames were coming out of the chimney pot,” said Mr Glover.
Firefighters put a ladder up to the roof in order to tackle the fire from the chimney stack, then dismantled a log burner inside the property, to enable them to rod the chimney fire, confined to the chimney flue, again due to a build up of soot.
Firefighters left the scene at 3.30pm.
Newbury firefighters have since issued a reminder to get chimneys swept regularly and at least twice a year.
They recommend chimneys are swept prior to and also towards the end of the winter season.
Extra fuel placed on fires, due to lengthy cold spells, can cause a build up of soot in chimneys, liable to catch fire.
For more information visit the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service website rbfrs.co.uk