Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Officials advise regular fireplace and chimney inspections, as well as making sure smoke detectors function properly.
A crackling fire in the hearth makes a home feel warm and cozy in the winter. Yet, it's important to take precautions to stay safe before a fire is ever lit and act immediately if you think something might be wrong. Beverly Veit of Annapolis wanted a welcoming fire in her home when she recently held a holiday get-together. However, Veit said she was alarmed when the house started to fill with smoke. She later called Clean Sweep Chimney, whose website advises that smoke can back up into the house for several reasons. "In some cases, the fireplace has poor draw; in other situations, smoke travels to other parts of the house through gaps in the liner ... [or] wind blows downs the flue," according to the website. Clean Sweep Chimney is …
Monday, December 27, 2010
Chimney fires occurred in different homes on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula during the holiday weekend.
Firefighters responded to the scene of another chimney fire on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula the day after they battled a blaze in a home early on Christmas Day. More than 30 firefighters responded to 2840 Carrollton Rd. around 12:38 p.m. on Dec. 26, according to a spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. The one-alarm fire started in the exterior chimney box and took firefighters about 22 minutes to extinguish, said Lt. Cliff Kooser. According to a neighbor, the family was home during the incident and escaped safely. There were no injuries reported and Kooser said assistance from the Red Cross was not requested. Fire hoses reportedly extended from Carrollton Road all the way across Bay Ridge Road for access to the fire …
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Residents got out safely after fire spread through the roof early on Christmas morning at a home on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula.
At around 2:30 a.m. on Christmas, a two-alarm fire ripped through the roof of a home on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula. Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to find smoke coming from the home at 3354 Harness Creek Rd. There was reportedly heavy fire on the upper floors and through the roof. Spokesman Steve Thompson said that the smoke detectors worked properly in the home allowing time for five adults and one child to get out safely and sustain no injuries. He added that the cause of the fire was ruled accidental due to a malfunctioning chimney. Damages are estimated at $200,000. Three firefighters were transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center for a routine evaluation but were later released. Updated Dec. 29 -- See the incredible …
