A Mason family has been displaced after a chimney fire spread to a wall, causing fire and smoke damage throughout their home.
Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, the homeowners at 270 Campbell Mill Road reported a fire in the residence. Mason crews responded to the first-alarm fire, and Chief Eric Rantamaki said they arrived on the scene to heavy smoke conditions, even outside.
“You could hardly see 10 feet in front of you,” Rantamaki said.
Rantamaki said the fire appears to have started in a clogged chimney stovepipe, where heat built up to the point that an adjoining wall ignited. Fire damage was contained to that wall, but because the area has cathedral ceilings, the flames reached into the second story. The remainder of the house sustained smoke damage, though most of the fire damage was limited to the chimney wall.
The homeowners and their pets were able to evacuate safely, and no injuries were reported. The home is currently uninhabitable, and the family is staying with relatives, Rantamaki said.
Crews extinguished the fire and remained on scene for about two and a half hours.
Rantamaki said that with winter approaching and residents beginning to use fireplaces and wood or pellet stoves after the off-season, it is important to have chimneys inspected.
“This shows the importance of keeping chimneys and stovepipes clean,” Rantamaki said. He said those who use wood heat should have their chimneys cleaned and inspected annually.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.