In a recent incident at The Three Horseshoes Inn in Powerstock, landlady Emma Thorpe expressed her gratitude for the prompt response of three fire crews that prevented potential damage caused by a chimney fire.

Ms. Thorpe was taken by surprise when the pub filled with excess smoke after the chimney caught fire while she was enjoying tea by the lit fireplace. Quick thinking allowed her to extinguish the flames and ventilate the area, but persistent smoke led her to call the fire brigade for assistance.

Responding swiftly to the call, three fire crews from Bridport, Beaminster, and a water carrier from Yeovil arrived at the scene around 5.45 pm on a Tuesday afternoon.

Ms. Thorpe expressed her relief, stating, "It looked worse than it was with three fire engines outside. It's a commercial building in a rural area, that's why there were so many fire engines. But we're very lucky there's been no damage to the building or anything."

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that the crews attended reports of a hearth fire that had been extinguished by the occupant but was still emitting smoke. The fire crews efficiently used their chimney kit to ensure complete extinguishment of the fire.

Bridport Fire Station shared valuable advice on chimney safety:

Chimneys should be swept:

• At least once a year when using smokeless fuels
• At least once a year when using bituminous coal
• Every three months when burning wood
• Once a year when using oil
• Once a year when using gas

Safety measures when lighting an open fire or woodburning stove:

• Don't use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire
• Don't burn excessive amounts of paper or rubbish
• Don't overload the fire with fuel
• When the fire is alight, check the loft space occasionally to make sure there is no smoke leaking from cracks, defective brickwork or mortar joints

View the SOURCE here.

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