A firefighter in my town asked me a question that stuck with me

I was having coffee with a local firefighter after a call we both attended. He said, 'You know, we see a lot of chimney fires that start from creosote, but the ones that really spread are almost always in homes with no chimney cap.' He pointed out that birds' nests and leaves can ignite in seconds from a single spark. I've always pushed for caps, but hearing it from his side, seeing the damage firsthand, hit different. How many of you make a point to check and recommend caps on every single inspection?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenix_singh1mo ago

Yeah, my old neighbor's place had a small fire start that way. It's one of those cheap fixes that just gets forgotten.

the_blair1mo ago

Remember my buddy's place, @phoenix_singh? Same thing, just a melted outlet behind his couch.

evan2953d ago

Funny you bring that up @phoenix_singh. My uncle had a chimney fire last winter. Cap was fine but his flue was cracked. Fire crew said the cap saved his roof though. Birds had packed the top full of twigs one season.