FIRE chiefs in Rossendale have warned people to take care when using wood burning stoves after a call-out in Bacup. A total of 10 firefighters attended a home in Rochdale Road on Friday night after some nearby logs caught fire.
The crews were called at 9.10pm after the occupants returned from a shopping trip to find the logs alight.
Watch manager Chris Howarth said his team spent about around 45 minutes making the home safe.
He said: “Logs at the side of the wood burning stove caught fire due to the radiated heat of the stove. The couple had nipped out and returned to a smoke-filled home.
“There was light smoke damage to the rest of the property. I would remind people to be extremely careful with wood burning stoves. Don’t set combustible materials close to the fire.
“If it uses a chimney, ensure the chimney is swept regularly by someone qualified, and make sure you have a working smoke alarm.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of not setting logs beside fires. A lot of people don’t know that radiated heat can be enough to set them alight, but it can.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here