A FAMILY were evacuated from their home after a chimney caught fire.
Essex Fire Service were called to Rectory Road, Grays at 1.16pm this afternoon after the chimney caught fire.
After arriving, fire crews evacuated the family as a precaution.
Firefighters used the ALP and chimney rods to extinguish the fire by 4.07pm.
The chimney suffered some fire and smoke damage.
A fire service spokesman said: "Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys. Keep your family and home safe by following our chimney safety advice:
- Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood
- Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed
- Use a fire or spark guard
- Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them
- Inspect your chimney regularly - particularly in the roof space - to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks
- Avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Suitable seasoned timber must be used in all solid fuel stoves
- Buy only suitable fuels. Using the wrong type of fuel on a liner will reduce the life of the liner considerably due to increased corrosion
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