21-02-2025
Chimney fire in Belchertown sparks safety reminders
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – The Belchertown Fire Department was sent to a chimney fire on Thursday.
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The fire department states that a ladder truck had to be used to put out the fire due to a snow covered roof with ice. The fire was put out and no injuries were reported.
provides some home heating safety tips that everyone should follow:
You need a building permit before installing fireplaces, wood, pellet, or coal-burning stoves.
Your local building inspector must inspect new fireplaces, and wood, pellet, or coal-burning stoves before they are used as required by the Massachusetts State Building Code.
Allow for at least 36 inches of clearance around the appliance to prevent combustibles from coming into contact with a heat source. This is the 3-foot circle of safety.
Solid fuel heating appliances cannot share a common flue with chimney flues used by another solid fuel, fossil fuel, or gas fire appliance.
A qualified mason should inspect the chimney and flue before the stove is used and annually. Cracks in the flue or mortar joints can allow flames and heated gases to get into living spaces.
Make sure the wood stove is three feet from anything that can burn.
Do not burn paper in the wood stove.
Put the fire out before going to sleep or leaving your home
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