Chimney Fire Extinguished At

Landmark Home On Main Street

By Andrew Gorosko

Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company firefighters responded to a call for help at an antique Main Street residence about 12:04 pm May 18, after it was discovered that a chimney fire had occurred.

Hook & Ladder Fire Chief Ray Corbo said the blaze could have potentially become a house fire had it not been detected soon and quickly extinguished. The unlined chimney where the fire occurred did not contain a flue pipe, he said.

There were no injuries to the two people who were home at the time of the fire, he said.

The fire occurred at the Didier residence at 38 Main Street, on the corner of Main Street and Church Hill Road. About 12 firefighters responded.

After arriving, firefighters extended a ground ladder to the easternmost chimney on the house. They also extended their aerial ladder to the chimney from the fire company’s ladder truck. The house has three chimneys.

To check for the possible spread of fire, firefighters opened up a ceiling in a closet on an upper level near the smoldering chimney, Chief Corbo said.

Creosote, which had accumulated inside the chimney, had ignited after a wood fire had been started in the fireplace below, he said. The presence of creosote had greatly deceased the size of the exhaust opening in the chimney, he said.

To ensure that the fire was out, firefighters used a dry-chemical fire extinguisher, he said. Also, they dropped a set of chimney chains down the chimney to scour away some of the creosote that had accumulated inside it, he said.

Chief Corbo said he advised the Didiers not to use the chimney again until chimney problems are repaired.

The rear section of the house where the fire occurred was built circa 1720. The front section of the building was constructed circa 1780.

Resident Clare Didier explained, “It was cold. I lighted a fire.”

Soon thereafter, the chimney fire became apparent, she said. “It was very harrowing.”

Mrs Didier said that she and her husband, Charles, then worked to put out the fire in the fireplace, adding that problems with the chimney would be repaired.

In a letter to the editor in The Bee this week, the Didiers wrote, “Any fire is a frightening experience; ours was in the chimney. The professionalism and expedience of Newtown Hook & Ladder made us feel secure and confident that the proper measures were being taken and that all was under control.

“Assessing the possible consequences was done competently and quickly. Utmost care was taken to ensure the safety of the house and to prevent the possible reigniting of the fire later in the day. The young volunteers were knowledgeable and in constant communication with their superiors, making the whole team thorough, organized, and efficient.

“Our appreciation for the speedy and professional response of our fire department is immense. Thank you all,” the Didiers wrote.