As Christmas approaches, last summer’s earthquake is still on the minds of firefighters.
Officials warn cracks in chimneys that could have been caused by the August quake could allow dangerous gasses and heat to escape into homes.
After the quake, chimney fires were a big concern for officials at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said spokesman Bob Speildenner. The agency, however, has does not track instances of chimney fires caused by earthquake-related chimney cracks.
But there are precautions you can take to avoid a fire caused by your chimney by having it inspected by a professional.
“Even under normal circumstances, homeowners should have their chimneys cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional, in order to prevent a chimney fires during use,” said OWL VFD Chief Jim McAllister. “But this year, it is even more important to have your fire place checked because of the recent earthquake.”
McAllister suggests only burning seasoned hardwood in the fireplace, keeping the area around the fireplace clear of flammable materials and holiday decorations, build fires that burn completely and produce less smoke and to never leave a fireplace unattended.
