Here is a salutary tale from Thaxted this week about the need to have a chimney regularly swept – A barn conversion caught fire and lost most of its roof when soot deposits in the chimney caught fire and spread to the loft space. The soot had apparently collected in the top part of the chimney as the chimney had not been swept for some time. People don’t realise that if a chimney catches fire and the have not had it swept annually by a reputable trades person and they therefore have not been issued with an annual Safety Certificate, then the insurance company is unlikely to pay out for any damage caused.

Essex Fire Brigade report:

Firefighters are reminding residents to check and clean their chimneys regularly after a fire caused significant damage to a timber-framed home in Thaxted this evening (Wednesday 11 December).

Crews from Thaxted, Saffron Walden, Newport and Braintree, along with an Aerial Ladder Platform from Chelmsford, were called to the property at 5:20pm after the homeowners noticed part of the interior wall had collapsed, revealing a fire inside the chimney.

The fire, which was caused by a build up of soot and debris in the chimney, quickly spread through the loft space and roof due to the timber-framed structure of the house.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to tackle the fire from inside the home, while crews on the Aerial Ladder Platform extinguished the flames from above. Thanks to their efforts, they successfully contained the fire and prevented further spread.

Station Manager Kev Jenner said:
“Our crews worked incredibly hard in challenging conditions to stop the fire from spreading further through the property. Thankfully, the family escaped without injury, but the roof has been significantly damaged, and there is smoke and water damage throughout the home.

“This incident highlights the importance of regularly maintaining and cleaning your chimney, especially in older, timber-framed properties, where fire can spread rapidly.”

The fire was fully extinguished by 8:15pm, but crews will remain at the scene into the night to monitor for hotspots and make sure the area is safe.

Chimney Safety Advice

To reduce the risk of chimney fires, follow these tips:

• Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood.
• Avoid burning resinous woods; use only suitable seasoned timber in solid fuel stoves.
• Do not stack fires too high and allow them to burn down well before you go to bed.
• Use a fire or spark guard to prevent embers from escaping.
• Inspect your chimney regularly—particularly in the roof space—to check for cracks or broken bricks.

For more safety tips, visit essex-fire.gov.uk/chimney.