New data reveals that wood is not the only thing being burnt in wood-burning stoves – with items including nappies, rubbish and cabinets within the list of items customers have admitted to using as fuel.
This follows 43% of chimney sweeps and installers confirming that incorrect fuels are the biggest chimney fire risk.
The research by HETAS, building regulation charity, also reveals that 37.5% of professionals said that 10% of the properties they visit have never had a chimney sweep at all; in 44% of cases, this is because of the cost of living.
Despite industry guidance recommending sweeping chimneys at least twice a year when burning wood, this is becoming unaffordable for nearly half of wood stove users.
Barry Cope, CEO of HETAS said: “Using the wrong fuel and a lack of maintenance means creosote deposits which are highly combustible and can ignite when heated, can build up in the flue causing a chimney fire.”
Unsafe burning remains rampant, with nearly a quarter of installers saying they frequently see evidence of it. Nearly half have seen customers burn wood pallets, cardboard or treated wood and nearly a quarter have seen household rubbish and Christmas trees burned.
Lee Wilkins, Group Manager and Head of Prevention at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As autumn approaches, people will start to think about using wood burners, multi-fuel stoves and open fires to keep their homes warm. However, a poorly maintained heating appliance or chimney can result in a house fire with potentially devastating consequences.
“Regular maintenance and inspections by a qualified professional, along with the safe use of heating appliances in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, can greatly reduce the risk. It is also advisable to fit a carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm in rooms with heating appliances, and to check they are working once a month.”
Devon and Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, Kent, Hampshire and Isle of Wight were victim to the most chimney fires in the research, with a total of 361.
However, incidents are only getting more frequent, with Greater London seeing double the amount of fires this year compared to last year.
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