Freezing temps up flue fire chances

Chimney flue fires damaged at least two houses in Washington County on New Year’s Eve and Monday.

Firefighters went to a house fire about 8:50 p.m. Sunday at 19367 Nob Hill Loop outside Springdale city limits. The case is under investigation, but looks like an accidental fire related to the flue, according to the Washington County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Central EMS Chief Becky Stewart said Monday morning’s house fire at 10150 S. Garland McKee Road in Prairie Grove originated in the chimney as well.

No one was injured in either fire, officials said.

About 56,000 house fires per year involve heating equipment, according to 2009-13 National Fire Protection Association data. The fires annually caused 470 deaths, 1,490 injuries and $1 billion property damage.

One-third of these fires involved a fireplace or chimney, according to the data.

Jim Vaughan, Springdale Division Chief, said his department sees several flue

fires and an increase in other heat source-related fires this time of year as the temperatures drop.

“People will do some pretty extreme things to keep warm, which is understandable,” Vaughan said. “But don’t take undue or unknown risks.”

Vaughan said he doesn’t see as many as he used to, which he credits to a better-informed public.

More people are aware of the dangers of space heaters and know not to leave them on overnight, he said.

Nationally, space heaters still account for 22,400 annual home heating fires, according to protection association data. These also are the most devastating, accounting for 84 percent of associated deaths, 75 percent of injuries and 52 percent of property damage.

Vaughan said firefighters also work incidents involving people using propane heaters in enclosed spaces or trying to burn wrapping paper and other trash in indoor fireplaces.

People should avoid burning anything that creates a lot of ash, he said. He also recommended occasionally burning a really hot fire to help clean out the flue and having the chimney annually inspected and cleaned by a professional.

Firefighters face extra dangers when responding to these fires in freezing temperatures, officials said.

Extended exposure to the cold is a major concern, Vaughan said. Firefighters on the scene often get wet, which adds to the health risks.

In some situations, Vaughan said the department will send more crews to rotate so no one has to be exposed for an extended time.

When it’s as cold as it has been the last few days, they also have trouble with rapid freezes and ice.

“In these types of conditions, especially at night, if we don’t pick up hoses quick enough, they can freeze. We can’t let a fire hose sit without having water moving,” Vaughan said.