Chimney sweeping advice after fires in Sleaford area villages

In just the first week of 2021, there were 10 fires in Lincolnshire homes including chimney fires in Pickworth and Long Bennington over the weekend.

Three fire crews attended the chimney fire in a thatched cottage on Village Street in Pickworth on Sunday evening.

A small quantity of soot in the chimney had caught fire. Firefighters used chimney gear, a stirrup pump, ladder and thermal imaging cameras to put it out.

On New Year’s Eve, crews attended an incident in North Carlton near Lincoln where logs were left too close to the fire, igniting a rug and a basket.

Paul Howes, Group Manager Prevention and Protection at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Lots of us are looking to keep our homes warm, cook hearty meals and keep things cosy to get through this lockdown.

“While you’re doing this, please keep safety in mind, as many of the incidents we are going out to are preventable. Simple precautions like keeping anything flammable a safe distance away from fires and heaters, always keeping an eye on your cooking and not leaving candles alight if you’re not in the room, can make a real difference.”

Already this year there have been a number of fires caused by cooking being left unattended – one of the most common causes of domestic fires. This includes a chip pan fire in Bourne, a grill pan on fire in Deeping Gate and a dual fuel cooker alight in Whaplode.

The fire service also attended a bedroom fire at a property in Bardney last week where a lit candle had fallen on the floor, and a flat fire in Gainsborough over the weekend caused by a candle left unattended. Fire crews have also attended a number of electrical incidents including a tumble drier fire in Sturton by Stow.

While people are at home, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue suggests the following jobs to improve fire safety:

- test your smoke alarm

- clear your grill pan of fat build-up

- clear the lint out of your tumble drier

- register your electrical appliances online at www.registermyappliance.org.uk

- check your sockets are not overloaded – use extension leads instead of ‘block’ adaptors

- know how you would get out safely if you did have a fire, and check none of your exits are blocked.

Mr Howes added: “While we stay home and stay safe from Covid, we need to be mindful of household hazards too. Our highly experienced community fire safety team and operational crews are available for advice on the phone, and are still visiting the most vulnerable members of the community where needed.”

There are lots more safety tips and information at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lfr.