'Lucky escape' from chimney fire

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A couple had a "lucky escape" from their home after a fire started in the chimney after they left embers burning at night, firefighters said.

The alarm was raised just after 0600 GMT on Sunday after the couple from Worthenbury, near Wrexham, realised there was a fire in the roof.

The fire caused 50% damage to the roof space, North Wales Fire Service said.

They warned homeowners to check chimneys regularly after finding a missing brick had let the fire spread.

Crews from Wrexham used four sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reels and an aerial platform to to extinguish the fire.

The fire service said the householders had gone to bed the previous evening while allowing a fire in the grate to burn out.

They were woken by the sound of burning in the loft and smoke outside their bedroom. They contacted emergency services immediately.

The fire crews had to use an aerial platform to put the fire out

Andy Robb, fire safety enforcement officer for Wrexham, explained: "This couple were extremely lucky to have escaped without any injuries, and the swift actions of the crews prevented the fire from spreading and causing structural damage to the rest of the house.

"This fire highlights just how important it is to look after your chimneys and ensure that they are safe.

"In this instance, a brick had fallen from the chimney breast a few months earlier, and the hole left by the brick caused the fire to spread to some timber beams in the roof.

"We would advise that residents have their chimney swept and checked over at least once a year for solid fuel, gas or oil fires, and around four times a year for wood burning fires when in use.

"We would also appeal to residents to have chimneys checked immediately if they suspect that there might be any damage to the chimney flue.

"Also, if you do have a fire in your home, we would advise that you call out the fire and rescue service to ensure that it is properly extinguished."

He added the service offered a free home fire safety check, available by calling 0800 1691234.