Did we have a chimney fire or just a roaring fire?

[MikeandLiza]

Hello folks,

Moved into a new house fairly recently and wondering if you could help us find out what we experienced tonight.

We have a standard masonry fireplace. We had the chimney swept and inspected this past fall when we moved into this house. Tonight we had a fire, which was crackling along merrily until we had one half-burned log and a bunch of coals. The log was sputtering along until I poked and turned it for a bit. Fairly suddenly it caught, started burning very hot, and the fire started making a loud roaring sound - like the sound of a fire when you have a windy day. No other sounds - no crackling etc.

It lasted for about 5 minutes and then the log burned out and the sound died down. I'm now paranoid - was this a chimney fire? If not - what was that? I wish I had gone outside to see, but it didn't occur to me until after.

Thanks! Appreciate any help!

 

[jetsam]

Hello folks,

Moved into a new house fairly recently and wondering if you could help us find out what we experienced tonight.

We have a standard masonry fireplace. We had the chimney swept and inspected this past fall when we moved into this house. Tonight we had a fire, which was crackling along merrily until we had one half-burned log and a bunch of coals. The log was sputtering along until I poked and turned it for a bit. Fairly suddenly it caught, started burning very hot, and the fire started making a loud roaring sound - like the sound of a fire when you have a windy day. No other sounds - no crackling etc.

It lasted for about 5 minutes and then the log burned out and the sound died down. I'm now paranoid - was this a chimney fire? If not - what was that? I wish I had gone outside to see, but it didn't occur to me until after.

Thanks! Appreciate any help!

If the noise stopped when the log burned out, it was likely the noise of strong draft.

A chimney fire is the gunk on your chimney walls burning; it wouldn't stop when the log dies down.

 

[MikeandLiza]

Well that's a relief, Jetsam! Is the strong draft anything to be concerned about? Thanks!

 

[weatherguy]

Was it windy?

 

[bholler]

It is impossible to know from that description? Did you go out side to look? If you are concerned have it inspected.

 

[MikeandLiza]

Was it windy?

No it wasn't windy at all, although it sounded exactly like what is sounds like when it's windy out and you have a good fire going.

 

[MikeandLiza]

It is impossible to know from that description? Did you go out side to look? If you are concerned have it inspected.

we didn't go outside because it didn't occur to me to look right then and the noise only lasted a few minutes.

 

[Deano31]

How cold was it outside sounds like you just had a really good draft going by any chance did you have any windows open or doors open.

 

[David.Ervin]

Probably nothing to worry about. I get a similar effect if I'm having a sluggish burn and roll a log over to help it along. If I had to guess, the log was nearly hot enough to light off, and the exposure to fresh air got the whole side burning at once, hence the woosh.

 

[MikeandLiza]

ok thank you folks! I get nervous around new equipment. In our old house I knew everything inside out!

 

[MikeandLiza]

How cold was it outside sounds like you just had a really good draft going by any chance did you have any windows open or doors open.

I think we had a window open. That's it, huh?