Victoria’s fire services are calling on residents to prioritise fireplace, chimney and flue safety this winter, following a devastating house fire in Somerville.
The fire started after the occupant placed a log on an open fireplace before briefly leaving the property.
The log is believed to have rolled from the fireplace and ignited nearby material, with the fire quickly taking hold.
When firefighters arrived, the two-storey house was well alight. Crews worked through the night to contain the blaze and protect neighbouring properties.
The home did not have working smoke alarms and contained a significant fuel load, which contributed to the intensity of the fire and made firefighting efforts more difficult.
Somerville Fire Brigade Captain Joshua Caron said the incident showed how quickly an open fireplace could lead to a devastating fire.
“Thankfully, the occupant wasn’t home when the fire took hold, but the property was extensively damaged and this could easily have resulted in a loss of life,” Joshua said.
“Crews had to clear material just to reach the front door, and the amount of combustible material inside intensified the fire and made an already difficult firefight even harder.”
CFA and FRV responded to a combined 220 residential fires involving heating systems, chimneys and flues during the 2024-25 financial year.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan AFSM said fireplaces and wood heaters should never be left unattended, even when leaving home for only a short time.
“Logs can shift or roll, embers can escape and nearby combustible items can ignite within minutes,” Jason said.
“Always use a properly fitted fire screen, keep furniture, firewood and other combustible materials well clear of the fireplace, and make sure your home has working smoke alarms.”
FRV Acting Deputy Commissioner Community Safety and Operational Training Mark Carter AFSM said regular maintenance of a fireplace and chimney was essential to reduce the risk of house fires.
“Chimneys and flues should be inspected every year before use in the colder months and cleaned to ensure a build-up of soot and debris does not ignite and cause a dangerous chimney fire,” A/DC Carter said.
“Residents should safely dispose of ashes in a metal container and keep them well clear of combustible materials, remembering that ashes can remain hot enough to start a fire for several days.”
Fireplace safety check list:
- Clean chimneys and flues every year
- Always place a metal screen in front of an open fire
- Keep clothing at least one metre away from fireplaces
- Never let a fire burn after you’ve gone to bed or left the house
- Ensure ashes are cold before discarding
- Never leave children unattended around fireplaces
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms and test them monthly
- Smoke alarms with a replaceable battery must have the battery replaced each year
- Smoke alarms fitted with a sealed 10-year long life battery do not need their battery replaced annually. However, every smoke alarm should be replaced at the end of its 10-year lifespan
