Chimney Fire and Furnace Puffback Safety
Warning signs of chimney fires and furnace puffbacks, what to do right away and how to prevent them.
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- Give your city and ZIP code
- Say what happened and whether the fire is out
- Ask the company about its license and insurance
Quick answer
Loud roaring, dense smoke or soot from vents can signal a chimney fire or puffback. Get everyone out, call 911, and do not use the system until a qualified professional inspects it. Annual service lowers risk. Call (833) 917-4160 after clearance to reach a local cleanup company.
Warning signs
- Roaring or cracking noise in the chimney
- Dense smoke from the fireplace or flue
- Soot puffing from a furnace or boiler
- Smell of fuel or burning near the heating system
What to do
- Get everyone out and call 911.
- Do not use water on a chimney fire yourself.
- Do not restart the system. Let the fire department and a qualified technician inspect it.
- After clearance, call a restoration company for soot and odor cleanup.
Prevention
- Have chimneys inspected and swept as recommended by a certified professional
- Service oil burners and boilers every year
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Burn only seasoned wood and use a screen
Sources and further reading
- Chimney Safety Institute of America
- NFPA Research: Home Structure Fires (2019), via the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office
- Ready.gov: Home fires
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