A response call by local fire departments on Tuesday afternoon for a chimney fire in Sturgeon Bay is a good reminder to have your chimney inspected regularly.  The Sturgeon Bay Fire Department was called to a residence on County T at about 1:30 p.m., and a chimney fire had quickly been contained before it could cause substantial damage.   According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), nearly 25,000 chimney fires occur yearly.  The most common cause of chimney fires is creosote buildup, a chemical byproduct of burning wood. Gibraltar Fire Chief Andy Bertges suggests you take preventative steps before sparking the next flame in your fireplace or wood burner stove.

Quiet, slow-burning chimney fires are usually caused by either a stray spark or high temperatures that ignite creosote buildup in the chimney. The CSIA recommends having your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year.