Firefighters called to several Cornwall chimney fires

Firefighters in several Cornwall towns were called out to deal with chimney fires during Friday afternoon.

Just past noon, six firefighters from Launceston were called to a chimney fire on Duke Street, St Stephens, Launceston. Crews used chimney rods to clear the fire from a woodburner's flue.

Around 16.30pm, firefighters from Camborne responded to calls about a chimney fire on East Charles Street, Camborne. Using a 13.5 metre ladder and a roof ladder with a safety at height and confined spaces pack, they accessed the top of the chimney and used a hose reel along with a stirrup pump and chimney rods to extinguish the fire.

Just past 17.30pm a fire appliance from Liskeard Community Fire Station attended a report of a chimney fire near St Cleer. The crew of six firefighters used a thermal imaging camera, stirrup pump and rods to extinguish the fire.

Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service have published the following tips to reduce the risk of fires:

•     Sweep the chimney before use
•     Ensure a fireguard is in front of the fire at all times
•     Sparkguards can prevent a serious property fire
•     Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house
•     Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire
•     Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and check it works regularly!