Just had a minor chimney fire.
Early in the year the jackdaws blocked the chimney, and they nested again in the summer, so I swept the chimney a few weeks ago. It was a right job to clear it and there was a sackful of moss-like stuff and sticks. Hardly any soot because we hadn't had many fires after the last sweep before they blocked it.
We had a fire on the last cold weekend 2 or 3 weeks ago, and all was fine. About half an hour ago I heard them at it again so I screwed up some paper and set fire to it to get them to clear off.
About 2 minutes after the paper had burnt out, a flaming lump of moss and a twig or two came down the chimney and continued burning in the grate. Within seconds the chimney was roaring like a jet engine, smoke pouring out of the top. Then a bigger drop of burning twigs and moss that had presumably remained stuck up there when I swept it.
After that had gone out it smouldered higher up for a bit, judging by the emissions, and now it's stopped. The chimney seems fine, the stack in the loft wasn't even warm so I think we're OK.
But there's a peculiar smell. I might have roasted a rotting jackdaw or two. Maybe I'll cough up for a proper chimbley sweep next time!
Last edited by: Manatee on Tue 11 Dec 18 at 14:55
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Flaming Jackdaws new
Flaming Jackdaws new
