Ephrata fire damages stove

EPHRATA - A fire damaging a wood burning stove Thursday was the second of two similar blazes in Ephrata within a week.

The blaze spurred the Ephrata Fire Department to remind people about fireplace safety and preventing chimney fires.

The fire on Thursday was likely caused by the stove not being regularly inspected or maintained, said Ephrata Fire Department Lt. Mike Stussy.

If flues aren't cleaned regularly, carbon can build up, he said. Heat can be retained and cause hot spots, he added.

About 15 firefighters with the City of Ephrata and Grant County Fire District No. 13 responded Thursday to the stove fire on F St. N.E. in Ephrata.

He said the damage was just to the wood burning stove and no one was injured. Firefighters were on the scene for about an hour, he said.

A chimney fire last week may have been caused by the chimney not being cleaned regularly, he said. He added chimney fires usually happen when chimneys aren't cleaned.

The fire department recommends homeowners schedule an annual inspection and cleaning of chimneys.

Stovepipes on wood burning stoves should also be examined for soot buildup.

Some chimney fire signs include hearing a "roar" in the chimney, finding soot chips on the ground or roof near the chimney, seeing smoke slip from chimney cracks and flames at the chimney's top, according to the department.

"A common misconception is since the fire is contained in the chimney, it's safe to let it burn the creosote (soot) out," stated Jennifer Wood, the fire department's public information officer.

But the fire can spread through the house, to the roof, or to a neighbor's home, she added.