Canfield family back home after chimney fire

 A Canfield family is back in their home after a chimney fire forced them to flee late Monday.

Fire crews from Canfield and Boardman were called out to a home on the 3600 block of McCarty Drive just after 11 p.m.

We're told that a chimney fire forced the family into the bitter cold.

The fire caused minor damage to the inside of the home, and the family was allowed back inside once firefighters aired things out.

Nobody was hurt.

There's no word on what caused flames to break out in the chimney.

According to the Countryside Fire District, thousands of homes experience chimney fires each year due to improper chimney maintenance.

Most chimney fires are caused by creosote, a by-product resulting from the incomplete combustion of wood. It builds up on the sides of your chimney as a liquid and later condenses into a solid. As it builds up, it not only blocks the flue but can ignite into a fire.

These fires can be prevented with regular chimney cleanings and inspections.

The following precautions can be taken to prevent a chimney fire:

• Clean your chimney. It is recommended that you have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. A professional chimney sweeper will do more than brush out your chimney. They will also inspect your chimney for cracks, liner damage, improper installation, and much more.
• Use dry wood. If your wood is not fully cured or is wet, it will not burn as hot as dry wood normally does. It will also produce more smoke. Burning wet wood can also lead to creosote building up faster in your chimney. NOTE: Be sure NOT to burn construction scraps, treated wood, or sappy pines, which can contribute to the creosote buildup.
• Burn your wood stove in the "burn zone" daily. If you burn your wood stove hot enough regularly, it will reduce creosote buildup.
• Burn the hardest firewood you can find. Burn hardwoods, i.e., hickory, ash, or maple, that have been seasoned for at least one year. Additionally, building smaller fires as large compact bundles of wood produce cooler fires.

Lack of air supply also causes chimney fires. If your fireplace cannot draw in enough air, creosote forms. Make sure your damper is open, and once the fire is going, keep glass hearth doors open to encourage airflow.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Never leave your fireplace unattended.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate the fire.
• Keep the area around the chimney or woodstove clear of debris, decorations, and flammable materials.
• Installing CO detectors in your home is the finishing touch to provide peace of mind and keep your family safe throughout the year, not just during the cold winter season when our fireplaces are on.

Here are some warning signs of a chimney fire…

Puffy creosote with rainbow-colored streaks that have expanded beyond its normal form.

Damper metal and metal connector pipes are warped.

Cracked or collapsed flue tiles or tiles with large chunks missing.

Discolored or distorted rain cap.

Flakes or larger pieces of creosote are found on the roof or ground.

Cracks in exterior masonry.