Bend chimney cleaning company warns homeowners after improper heating sparks fires
Jillian Fortner
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As we move into the colder months, fire officials are warning about an uptick in home heating dangers.
Last week, Bend Fire & Rescue rushed to put out two house fires reported just 90 minutes apart, both tied to improper use of heating systems.
Master’s Touch, a Bend chimney cleaning company, says fires like these aren’t uncommon.
About 110,000 homes make up Central Oregon and 30% of them rely on fireplaces or wood stoves as a primary heat source. Master’s Touch says half of those chimneys aren’t being cleaned regularly.
“That’s why we have about between between 30 to and 40 fires every single year in central Oregon. From chimney fires,” said Don Braem from Master’s Touch. “People are not cleaning them and they’re not aware that they they need to be cleaned.”
He added that creosote buildup is one of the biggest dangers.
“Creosote wood really burns, dirty. A lot of tar. It leaves in the residue and that builds up,” Braem said.
Master’s Touch recommends chimneys be cleaned every two years, and says appointments are filling up fast as winter approaches.
“We’re swamped right now. Everybody waits until it’s too late,” Braem said.
Simple maintenance and proper use of your heating system can be the difference between a warm home and a dangerous, costly emergency.