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Birds' nest sparks 'complex' chimney fire

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of England
News imageOxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire engine outside a house with two firefighters standing to the front of the engine. A ladder is being extended from the fire engine towards a house - a firefighter is standing in its cradle/basket. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
The fire service urges people to get their chimney swept after a fire started due to a build-up of twigs

Firefighters have tackled a "complex" fire in a chimney at a house in Oxfordshire fuelled by twigs and debris from a birds' nest.

The fire broke out in the chimney of the home in Northmoor on Wednesday shortly after 16:45 GMT.

A crew from Abingdon Fire Station arrived first, but due to the difficulty in finding and putting out the blaze an additional crew from Witney Fire Station were called in and an aerial appliance from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters discovered a buildup of nesting material and twigs, likely left by birds, in a disused section of the chimney flue and the blaze was no fault of the occupier.

News imageOxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Gap in chimney with large clump of twigs and debris filling the void.Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters discovered a buildup of nesting material and twigs in a disused section of the flue

Reminding people to get their chimneys swept, the fire service said: "We are now getting into some colder weather so you may be tempted to light your chimney for the first time.

"We urge you to get this professionally swept and checked before doing so."

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