Officials: Fire might have started in fireplace

No injuries reported; damage to house estimated at $50,000

No one was injured in a house fire in Painesville Township Dec. 27.

Nine departments responded to the scene at a two-story home at 18 Hurst Road.

According to fire department officials, the fire is believed to have started in the fireplace.

The damage estimate is $50,000.

In November, Mentor Fire Department Public Education Specialist Jerry Craddock shared with The News-Herald tips to avoid chimney fires.

“The problem for us is that folks need to realize that if you’re going to constantly use your fireplace, it will need to be cleaned regularly,” Craddock said.

“Burning wood causes a buildup of creosote (a thick black tar) on the inner lining of the chimney flue.”

He said chimneys are not designed to contain fire: they’re designed to provide a path for smoke to evacuate a home.

“When a fire burns in a chimney, homeowners will — aside from the visual of seeing fire coming out of the chimney at the roof — they will hear a cracking and popping inside the chimney or interior walls that abut the chimney. This is very concerning — what’s cracking is actually the flues fracturing, that can be a way fire can extend into the home,” Craddock said.

If occupants see fire or hear the popping or cracking, Craddock said they need to evacuate everyone and call the fire department immediately.

“The best advice we can give homeowners is to have their fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweeper,” Craddock said.

“We say certified because they are going to be properly trained to visually inspect a chimney from top to bottom, this is done by using cameras. They can then clean and make any necessary repairs.”