A WOOD burner fire which spread to a property’s roof near Llandrindod Wells has prompted safety reminders from the fire service.

Firefighters from Llandrindod were called just after 1pm on Tuesday, November 12, after a wood burner within a detached studio garage – which measured around 5X30 metres – spread to the roof joists in Crossgates.

The fire crews, who left the incident just before 3pm, used two hose reel jets, two triple extension ladders, a seven metre ladder, small gear and a new thermal imaging camera to extinguish the blaze.

Station manager Neil Evans, who is the deputy head of community safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This incident highlights the importance of sweeping your chimneys. Those householders who rely on chimneys and flues as a source of ventilation must ensure they are cleaned and well maintained, in addition to the heating appliance itself.

“Do not be tempted to clean your chimney with a domestic vacuum cleaner, leave it to a proper chimney sweep. Have your flue inspected regularly to prevent fire breaking out of the chimney in a living space, or in the loft.”

Mr Evans said to reduce the chances of having a chimney fire, wood burner and fire place owners should:

Sweep the chimney before use if you haven’t used it for some time

Ensure a fireguard is in front of the fire at all times

Spark guards can prevent a serious property fire

Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house

Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire.

The fire service has also issued advice on how often owners should clean their chimneys.

It said that solid fuel appliances should have their chimneys cleaned once a year for smokeless fuel and twice a year for coal, meanwhile wood burners should have their chimneys cleaned every three months when in use.

Gas fires should have their chimneys once a year, if they are designed for sweeping, and oil fired appliances should also have their chimneys cleaned once a year.

For more information about chimney fire safety, visit the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website by clicking here.

To arrange a Safe and Well visit from the fire service, phone 0800 169 1234.