By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
Quick response time by the Medina, Lyndonville and Shelby fire companies was able to contain the chimney fire at a residence at 123 Stork St.
According the Medina Public Information Officer Jeffrey Elsenheimer, the fire began at approximately 12:15 p.m. Thursday. He said that when firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke from the chimney of the one-story, single-family residence.
The interior of the house was checked for signs of fire, but none were found. Elsenheimer said that crews then put a ladder up the exterior of the building and went to the roof to evaluate the chimney. He said crews found a heavy buildup of creosote and hot embers burning within the chimney. The chimney was cleared of the buildup and a dry chemical extinguishing agent was used to help suppress the fire.
“Everything is fine,” said homeowner Chris Biernake. She said there was no damage to the inside of their home, and they were lucky because the fire was contained to the inside of the chimney. Biernake said that there was damage to the chimney and it is unusable.
Assisting in fighting the fire were the Lyndonville Fire Department, a pumper from the Shelby Fire Co. and Medina’s code enforcement officer.
Elsenheimer said the Medina Fire Department reminds residents that a chimney that is dirty, blocked or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable, he said.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
