CLEARLAKE – Lake County Fire Protection District spent about an hour on the scene of a structure fire late Friday night. The fire reportedly originated in the chimney and spread to the attic area of the home.
Units were dispatched at 11:26 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 following a report of a structure fire on the 3300 block of Brown Street in Clearlake. Units reportedly arrived at 11:34 p.m. to find the fire spreading to the upper portions of the structure.
“On arrival, the fire had already gotten through the protective structure of the chimney,” LCFPD Battalion Chief Willie Sapeta said.
“This type of incident can easily be avoided with the proper chimney maintenance. We see a lot of chimney fires, but not usually to this extent where it had breached the protective house and extended into the attic and the eaves.”
Response included the service of three fire engines, a rescue unit, a water tender, two medic units, two battalion chiefs and 25 personnel.
Units cleared the scene and were back in quarters at 1:30 a.m.
There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire. According to Sapeta, the occupants of the home were able to arrange alternate housing and the assistance of the American Red Cross was not necessary.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers valuable tips for proper chimney maintenance. The institute advises annual inspections and repairs as needed by a certified chimney sweep. Use seasoned woods only. Dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations. Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke. Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees as these items can spark a chimney fire. Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use.
Inspect and clean catalytic combustors on a regular basis, where applicable. Further chimney safety tips, including video tutorials, can be accessed at the CSIA Web site, www.csia.org.
Contact Reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
