The caretaker of an Ellison Bay home came at the right time before a chimney fire potentially got worse Monday afternoon. Door County EMS and firefighting crews from Sister Bay/Liberty Grove, Gibraltar, Ephraim, Baileys Harbor, and Jacksonport began arriving on the scene at 11789 Porcupine Bay Road after the home’s caretaker reported light smoke circulating throughout the house. Snow was also found melting at a rapid pace near the roof of the vacant house. Crews found the fire within the chimney area, but it was located outside of its normal flue. The wall of a downstairs bedroom and some of the chimney’s masonry had to be torn apart to access the flames. Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht says a large amount of debris had to be removed for the fire to be extinguished. He says the incident is a reminder that you should have your chimney not just cleaned every year, but inspected as well.
The scene was cleared in about two hours and no one was hurt. Hecht added that even though the structure was relatively unscathed, he estimates approximately $5,000-$8,000 worth of repairs will have to be made.
