What to Do After a Chimney Fire in Warrenville
After a chimney fire, stop using the fireplace or stove completely until the chimney has had a Level 2 inspection, because NFPA 211 calls for one after a chimney fire and the damage that matters most is usually hidden inside the flue. Your job is to make sure everyone is safe, keep the appliance cold, and write down what you saw.
First, treat it as an emergency until the fire department says otherwise
If you hear a loud roar like a freight train, see flames or dense smoke from the top of the chimney, or feel the chimney breast getting hot to the touch, get everyone out and call 911. A chimney fire can burn hot enough to crack clay flue tiles, and once a liner cracks, heat can reach the wood framing next to the chimney. Fire crews carry thermal cameras and will check walls, the attic and the roof line for heat that has escaped the flue. Do not pour water down a hot flue yourself; cold water on hot masonry and tile can make the cracking worse.
- Close the glass doors or the stove door and shut the air controls if you can do it safely.
- Get people and pets outside, then call 911.
- Tell the dispatcher it is a chimney fire so crews know to check the attic and roof.
Many chimney fires go unnoticed, so look for the aftermath
Not every chimney fire is loud. Slow-burning fires can smolder in the flue with no drama at all, and homeowners only learn about them later. If any of these show up around your Warrenville home, assume there has been a fire until a technician shows otherwise:
- Puffy, honeycomb-textured creosote in the firebox or smoke chamber, different from the usual flaky soot.
- A warped metal damper, a discolored or distorted chimney cap, or bent parts on a factory-built metal chimney.
- Cracks in the exterior masonry, or pieces of flue tile lying in the firebox or on the ground below the chimney.
- Scorched roofing, or creosote flakes on the roof and in the yard.
- Smoke leaking into the attic, a closet, or an upstairs room when a fire is lit.
The Level 2 inspection is the step you cannot skip
We work to NFPA 211, the National Fire Protection Association standard for chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel-burning appliances. It calls for a Level 2 inspection after a chimney fire or any other operating malfunction, and a Level 2 includes a recorded video scan of the flue interior. That camera run is what finds hairline tile cracks, gaps in mortar joints and a separated liner, none of which you can see with a flashlight from the firebox. Our chimney inspection service explains what each inspection level covers. Ask for the video and the written findings; your insurance adjuster will likely want both.
What repairs usually follow a chimney fire
The answer depends on what the camera shows. Light damage in a masonry chimney may only need cleaning and mortar work. Cracked or displaced clay tiles typically mean the flue has to be relined, often with a stainless steel liner sized to the appliance, because a cracked tile liner no longer keeps heat and combustion gases away from the house. Factory-built metal chimneys that have been through a fire are generally replaced rather than patched, since heat-damaged parts no longer match what the manufacturer tested and listed. A damaged cap, crown or damper gets handled at the same time.
Document everything before any cleanup
Photograph the firebox, the damper, the cap from the ground, any debris, and any smoke staining inside the house. Note the date and time. Then call your homeowner’s insurance company and ask how they want the claim handled; coverage varies by policy, so let the insurer tell you what applies rather than assuming. Keep the inspection report and video with the claim.
Preventing the next one
Chimney fires are almost always fueled by creosote buildup. Burning dry, seasoned wood, running fires hot enough to keep the flue warm, and having the chimney inspected once a year, as NFPA 211 calls for, are the habits that keep creosote from reaching dangerous levels. If you live in town, our Warrenville chimney sweep page covers how we serve homes there.
Quick answers
Can I use my fireplace after a small chimney fire if it went out on its own?
No. A fire that burned out by itself can still crack flue tiles or warp metal parts, and a damaged flue can let heat or carbon monoxide reach the house the next time you light a fire. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection after a chimney fire, and that includes a camera scan of the flue. Keep the appliance cold until the inspection is done and any repairs are finished.
How do I know if I had a chimney fire without noticing?
Look for puffy, honeycomb-looking creosote, a warped damper, a discolored or bent chimney cap, cracked exterior masonry, pieces of flue tile in the firebox, or creosote flakes on the roof and yard. Any one of these is a reason to stop using the fireplace and schedule an inspection. Slow-burning chimney fires often make little noise, so physical evidence is usually how they are discovered.
Does a chimney fire always mean the chimney needs a new liner?
Not always. It depends on what the video scan shows. If clay tiles are cracked, shifted or missing mortar, relining is the usual fix because the original liner can no longer contain heat and gases. If the flue is intact, cleaning and smaller repairs may be enough. Factory-built metal chimneys that were heat-damaged are generally replaced. The inspection findings decide the scope, not the fire itself.
Need a hand in Warrenville?
Call (630) 451-4179By Jack Fox, CEO & Lead Chimney Expert — Fox Chimney Service, St. Charles, IL · About the author