I Think I Had A Chimney Fire Tonight???

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

katwillny

Guest
Hey All,

So two days into the new install of the Englander NC 30 I had to have the fire dept out to the house. I loaded the stove and left the door slightly ajar. Well about 7 minutes I came back into the room to my wife calling me because there was smoke coming out of the 90 degree elbow about 5 feet above the stove. I immediately closed the door and shut down the flue damper, ran outside and saw a lot of sparks coming out of the cap. At no point were there flames coming out just a lot of spaks coming out the cap. By the time the firefighters got there the sparks had ceased and the crackling inside the pipe also had stopped. They climbed up on a ladder and didnt have to put water on it as they didn't see a fire. They recommended that let the stove finish its burn cycle and get someone out to clean out the pipe. All looks quiet now but i wonder if the pipe (outside) is ruined. Its a class A pipe (Stainless Steel). Darn it, I have been burning for 7 years and have not had any issues 2 days into the new stove and I light up my avenue as if it was Christmas. Im a bit paranoid now. I will have someone come and clean and inspect the pipe before I burn again.

I will be definitely bringing those guys Pizza and donuts tomorrow.

Thanks all.
 
When was the last time it was cleaned?
 
I had the pipe cleaned right before the season started so early November.
 
KatWill said:
Hey All,

So two days into the new install of the Englander NC 30 I had to have the fire dept out to the house. I loaded the stove and left the door slightly ajar. Well about 7 minutes I came back into the room to my wife calling me because there was smoke coming out of the 90 degree elbow about 5 feet above the stove. I immediately closed the door and shut down the flue damper, ran outside and saw a lot of sparks coming out of the cap. At no point were there flames coming out just a lot of spaks coming out the cap. By the time the firefighters got there the sparks had ceased and the crackling inside the pipe also had stopped. They climbed up on a ladder and didnt have to put water on it as they didn't see a fire. They recommended that let the stove finish its burn cycle and get someone out to clean out the pipe. All looks quiet now but i wonder if the pipe (outside) is ruined. Its a class A pipe (Stainless Steel). Darn it, I have been burning for 7 years and have not had any issues 2 days into the new stove and I light up my avenue as if it was Christmas. Im a bit paranoid now. I will have someone come and clean and inspect the pipe before I burn again.

I will be definitely bringing those guys Pizza and donuts tomorrow.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...
Glad to see You Your Family Your Home and any Pets are OK. Let us know what the cleaning shows could be a learning experience. Thanks
 
Yea, definitely time to get that pipe checked again then.

I imagine you'll find that it is fine but there definitely is fuel in there left and it needs to come out.

Kat, what was your old stove again?

pen
 
Get is checked. The pipe is probably fine. And quit using that flue damper.
 
I've done it once or twice with the fireview... left the air full open with a fresh load of fuel and then forget about it for a few minutes. Come back to find the flue thermometer pegged at 1000F and that hot metal smell. Crinkling sound coming from the connector pipe and a bit of smoke off the elbows (I have a pair of 45deg elbows in my connector pipe). The elbows are where you will get some build up no matter how clean you burn. I've had my connector pipe apart since it happened and no visible damage.
Now if it had gone longer the more likely there would have been damage to the piping.



KatWill said:
Hey All,

So two days into the new install of the Englander NC 30 I had to have the fire dept out to the house. I loaded the stove and left the door slightly ajar. Well about 7 minutes I came back into the room to my wife calling me because there was smoke coming out of the 90 degree elbow about 5 feet above the stove. I immediately closed the door and shut down the flue damper, ran outside and saw a lot of sparks coming out of the cap. At no point were there flames coming out just a lot of spaks coming out the cap. By the time the firefighters got there the sparks had ceased and the crackling inside the pipe also had stopped. They climbed up on a ladder and didnt have to put water on it as they didn't see a fire. They recommended that let the stove finish its burn cycle and get someone out to clean out the pipe. All looks quiet now but i wonder if the pipe (outside) is ruined. Its a class A pipe (Stainless Steel). Darn it, I have been burning for 7 years and have not had any issues 2 days into the new stove and I light up my avenue as if it was Christmas. Im a bit paranoid now. I will have someone come and clean and inspect the pipe before I burn again.

I will be definitely bringing those guys Pizza and donuts tomorrow.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...
 
BrotherBart said:
Get is checked. The pipe is probably fine. And quit using that flue damper.
Click to expand...
If you are monitoring the flue temps why would you have to quit using the flue damper.
 
oldspark said:
BrotherBart said:
Get is checked. The pipe is probably fine. And quit using that flue damper.
Click to expand...
If you are monitoring the flue temps why would you have to quit using the flue damper.
Click to expand...

Because you had stuff build up in the connector pipe and it caught fire last night.
 
BrotherBart said:
oldspark said:
BrotherBart said:
Get is checked. The pipe is probably fine. And quit using that flue damper.
Click to expand...
If you are monitoring the flue temps why would you have to quit using the flue damper.
Click to expand...

Because you had stuff build up in the connector pipe and it caught fire last night.
Click to expand...
Then that is the way he is burning, not the dampers fault.
 
If a damper is used on these modern stoves when it's unnecessary, the secondary burn action won't work as well as it should and will make more creosote.

pen
 
pen said:
If a damper is used on these modern stoves when it's unnecessary, the secondary burn action won't work as well as it should and will make more creosote.

pen
Click to expand...
You will see that in your flue temps correct?
 
earlll said:
oldspark said:
pen said:
If a damper is used on these modern stoves when it's unnecessary, the secondary burn action won't work as well as it should and will make more creosote.

pen
Click to expand...
You will see that in your flue temps correct?
Click to expand...
I'd rather look at the top of the chimney?
Click to expand...
This would be for general running conditions, yes you go up on the roof to look at the chimney but not wanting to go up there any more than I have to, knowing what your flue temp is can tell you how well you are burning.
 
Hey all, Thanks for the answers. Had the chimney swept today and they found first degree creosote on the cap and on the elbows. Pipe was fine after cleaning. That was a big scare. I am now nervous to burn wood. LOL. Have been doing it for 7 years and now I am a bit nervous of the thing that I love to do.
 
KatWill said:
Hey all, Thanks for the answers. Had the chimney swept today and they found first degree creosote on the cap and on the elbows. Pipe was fine after cleaning. That was a big scare. I am now nervous to burn wood. LOL. Have been doing it for 7 years and now I am a bit nervous of the thing that I love to do.
Click to expand...

Way I see it Kat is you should not be nervous, but instead learn from the experience. Not certain how often you are checking the system to make certain things are clean, but perhaps a more frequent inspection regimen would help prevent this in the future.
 
Random thoughts . . .

No need to fear burning wood . . . just respect the potential danger . . . and alter your actions to include more frequent inspections or cleanings if necessary.

Brining the firefighters a box of donuts or pizza or even a simple thank you note will win you some friends for life.
 
? What is "first degree creosote" ?

Regarding dampers, IMHO, a couple concerns I have is that they will create turbulence which would exacerbate creosote deposition, I would also OPINE that there could also be a temperature gradient on either side of the damper also exacerbating creosote deposition. All are my opinions, not facts.
 
firefighterjake said:
Random thoughts . . .

No need to fear burning wood . . . just respect the potential danger . . . and alter your actions to include more frequent inspections or cleanings if necessary.

Brining the firefighters a box of donuts or pizza or even a simple thank you note will win you some friends for life.
Click to expand...

Hey Jake,

The crew that came out to the house is not "on duty" until friday. So when i went over yesterday the fireman that was there suggested I do that for them on friday if i wanted to. I still went ahead and bough him lunch. (he loves Chinese food). I will definitely be stopping in Friday with a token of affection. Not many people think of fireman until they need them.
 
I also am wondering what first degree creosote is?
 
"Creosote comes in three different strengths: first-degree creosote is a fluffy gray dust; second-degree is denser and looks like blackened popcorn; and third degree creosote is crystallized and hard like rock candy."

In other words, first degree is soot.
 
BrotherBart said:
"Creosote comes in three different strengths: first-degree creosote is a fluffy gray dust; second-degree is denser and looks like blackened popcorn; and third degree creosote is crystallized and hard like rock candy."

In other words, first degree is soot.
Click to expand...

Thanks and right on as usual. Googled with a couple of pics: http://www.asootysolution.com/Chimney_Cleaning.html
 
madison said:
? What is "first degree creosote" ?

Regarding dampers, IMHO, a couple concerns I have is that they will create turbulence which would exacerbate creosote deposition, I would also OPINE that there could also be a temperature gradient on either side of the damper also exacerbating creosote deposition. All are my opinions, not facts.
Click to expand...

A "Factor" watcher? :)
 
BrotherBart said:
"Creosote comes in three different strengths: first-degree creosote is a fluffy gray dust; second-degree is denser and looks like blackened popcorn; and third degree creosote is crystallized and hard like rock candy."

In other words, first degree is soot.
Click to expand...

Brother, How often are you cleaning your chimney? Once a month, twice, etc? Just trying to get an idea, I burn pretty well seasoned wood so im just trying to get an idea. Also, the pipe has a clean out at the bottom, can I just shove a brush from the bottom up? I am not a fan of heights at all. Is that just as effective? meaning the bottom up method? if thats the case, i can totally make that a weekly routine.
 
I burn three and a bit more cords a year. I clean the pipe at the beginning of the season, usually Oct., and then again the first warm day after Christmas. The last three years it really didn't need the mid-season cleaning but I did it anyway. Based on what was there at mid season and at the end once a year would be fine. Of course that is burning 2+ year seasoned wood and burning it hot. On the stove downstairs it isn't burned but a dozen times a year anymore so I haven't brushed that one in two years now.
 
Bottom up will probably be fine. Once you get a feel for how much the cap gets gunked up. That is the only place I find creo in my pipes is the cap screen because the wind cools them so much and for several months of the year I have a lot of daily restarts from cold.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

BC_Josh
Had a chimney fire this morning
Replies
14
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
BC_Josh
BC_Josh
R
Spark arrestor plugged?
Replies
6
Views
610
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Trevor Tahclep
Trevor Tahclep
High Desert Dennis
A Question on Cold-Starting a Fully Loaded Stove
Replies
32
Views
3K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Caw
Caw
ERP
Multiple chimney fires
Replies
39
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Trevor Tahclep
Trevor Tahclep
ERP
Chimney Air Kit
Replies
1
Views
199
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
bholler
B
Top Bottom
Back