Firefighters extinguish chimney fire at Sussex County home without structural damage
STILLWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — Firefighters from several Sussex County departments extinguished a chimney fire on Friday at a home in the Plymouth Lake section of Stillwater Township without structural damage, authorities said.
Stillwater Fire Company said crews were dispatched along with firefighters from Hampton, Fredon and Branchville to a reported chimney fire. Stillwater Fire Chief arrived at the scene and confirmed an active fire inside the chimney.
Firefighters conducted an interior sweep of the residence using a thermal imaging camera to check for any extension of the fire into the walls. Branchville firefighters then arrived with a ladder truck and began chimney-clearing operations, using chains to knock burning debris down and out of the chimney.
Crews from Fredon and Hampton removed the debris from the chimney cleanout and extinguished the fire, while Stillwater firefighters worked inside the home to remove the chimney pipe and clear burning material from the stove pipe in the basement, officials said.
Fire units operated at the scene for about an hour. No injuries were reported, and officials said the fire was contained to the chimney with no extension into the home.
Fire officials reminded residents to have chimneys professionally cleaned and serviced at least twice a year to prevent the buildup of flammable creosote that can lead to chimney fires.
