Shropshire firefighters called to two chimney fires

Both were contained to the chimney breasts.

It comes as Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed almost 350 chimney fires had been recorded across the country in the past two years.

Firefighters were called to Edgmond shortly before 4pm. The second incident in Morda happened just before 6.05pm and was under control by 6.45pm.

Officials from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said they have dealt with 349 such incidents in the last two years, with an increase in the number of chimney fires this year expected in the coming weeks as temperatures drop.

And safety officers said many of the county's chimney fires could have been avoided if householders had their chimneys swept on a regular basis.

Tamara Hackett, of the brigade's community fire safety team, said chimneys should be swept at least once a year – or more often depending on the fuel used – to avoid the risk of fire.

"A fire in a chimney can reach temperatures of 1,100C (2,012F). The heat can crack the chimney and sparks can set the roof on fire," she said.

"It usually occurs when the chimney hasn't been swept often enough or unseasoned wood is burned or a fire is left to smoulder in a wood burner for a long time.

"Chimneys get choked with soot and smoke and there is a possible danger from carbon monoxide entering the room.

"After our campaign last year, chimney fires in Shropshire reduced from 43 in 2010 to 20 in December last year. We would like to reduce them even further to avoid a call out to the brigade and prevent the distress to householders a chimney fire causes."

As well as getting chimneys swept regularly, the fire service has advised householders only to burn the correct fuel and not to dispose of plastics or rubbish on the fire, as well as using dry seasoned timber with moisture levels below 25 per cent to avoid tarring the inside of the chimney.

Details at www.shropshirefire.gov.uk or by calling (01743) 260260.