OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – While the weather may not be great, we’re in the middle of winter, which means you’ll probably be using your fireplace more next year. The Oklahoma City Fire Department offers some helpful reminders to keep your home safe.
On New Year’s Eve, a fire broke out in the side of a house near Northwest 122nd Street and Council Road, with the fire in the fireplace spreading into the attic.
“There was heavy smoke and fire coming from the attic of the home,” Oklahoma City Fire Chief Randy Cornelius said.
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Residents were sleeping inside when the accident occurred, meaning 2025 could end in a catastrophic way. However, firefighters said a neighbor knocked on their door and they escaped safely.
“These guys did a great job knocking it down and putting it in the attic,” Cornelius said.
Firefighters believe the chimney fire spread into the attic overnight.
“A lot of times we don’t burn dry-season wood like we should, and it can build up a lot of creosote in the chimney and cause some house fire problems,” said Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Scott Douglas.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department says an annual chimney inspection and cleaning can save your home. They also recommend using a suitable screen.
“The protective screen will prevent embers and sparks from entering your home,” Douglas said.
According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, between 2016 and 2020, there were approximately 44,000 home fires caused by heating equipment across the country each year.
A house fire caused about $75,000 in damage on New Year’s Eve.
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