A crew from Dorchester Fire Station were called out to a chimney blaze at a property in Charminster over the weekend.

The chimney fire on North Street in Charminster was reported by a resident at 6.26pm on Sunday, February 26.

The crew used a thermal imaging camera and chimney kit to ensure the fire was extinguished.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “We were called at 6.26pm on Sunday, February 26 for a chimney fire in a property in North Street, Charminster.

“One crew from Dorchester attended and carried out a full investigation with a thermal imaging camera to be sure that the fire was out. Our stop was at 7.14pm.”

WATCH: Dramatic video of a chimney fire in Wareham

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have the following advice on keeping chimneys safe:

A clean chimney can help prevent fires and structural damage to your property. Regular cleaning of your chimney or flue will eliminate the build-up of soot and clear obstructions such as bird or animal nests, leaves and debris.

It is not enough to use a vacuum cleaner and you should make sure that your chimney or flue is inspected regularly

Chimneys should be swept:

  • At least once a year when using smokeless fuels
  • At least once a year when using bituminous coal
  • Every three months when burning wood
  • Once a year when using oil
  • Once a year when using gas

The following safety advice should always be followed when lighting an open fire or woodburning stove:

  • Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
  • Don’t burn excessive amounts of paper or rubbish.
  • Don’t overload the fire with fuel.

When the fire is alight, check the loft space occasionally to make sure there is no smoke leaking from cracks, defective brickwork, or mortar joints.