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What to Do After a Suspected Chimney Fire
Some chimney fires are loud and obvious. Others burn slowly and quietly and are only discovered later. Either way, the chimney should be evaluated by a qualified professional before anyone uses it again.
Two kinds of chimney fire
A chimney fire needs fuel, heat and air. The fuel is usually creosote, the deposit left when smoke condenses in a cool flue. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) notes that buildup is encouraged by restricted airflow, burning unseasoned wood and overloading a wood stove. Some fires are dramatic. Others are slow-burning: they do not get enough air or fuel to be visible or noisy, so they can go unnoticed until a later inspection, yet they can still reach very high temperatures and damage the chimney and nearby parts of the house.
If a fire is happening now
- If you believe there is a fire in the chimney or the house, get everyone out and call 911.
- Do not go back inside to check, and do not assume that a fire that has gone quiet is out.
- Let the fire department confirm that it is safe.
Do not use the fireplace or stove again after a suspected chimney fire until the chimney has been evaluated.
What the evaluation should cover
CSIA’s guidance is that a certified sweep evaluates the system after a suspected fire, confirms whether it was damaged and recommends the work needed to bring it back into compliance with safety standards. Depending on what is found, that can range from replacing a few flue tiles to a new liner or a rebuild. A camera pass is often the practical way to see liner damage; see chimney camera inspection and inspection levels 1, 2 and 3.
Repairs that commonly follow
- Liner repair or replacement where the flue was damaged.
- Chimney liners and HeatShield flue repair where appropriate.
- Repair of masonry, the crown, or the smoke chamber if damaged.
Preventing the next one
The main ways to reduce the risk are the ones in our other guides: inspect and clean on schedule, burn dry wood, do not burn trash or treated wood, and read how creosote builds up.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chimney fire happen without anyone noticing?
Yes. CSIA describes slow-burning fires that go unnoticed until a later inspection.
Is a chimney that survived a fire safe to use?
Not until it has been evaluated. Damage can be hidden inside the flue.
Will insurance require an inspection?
Policies differ. Ask your insurer what they need, and keep the inspection report.
Need an evaluation?
Request a visit or call (862) 225-6529, and tell us what happened. We will start with an inspection.
Sources
- Chimney Safety Institute of America: Chimney Fires (slow-burning fires, creosote, post-fire evaluation by a certified sweep)