A chimney fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen in a home. The noise — often described as a freight train or a jet engine — the smell, and the sight of flames shooting from the chimney stack are genuinely terrifying. But once it's over and the fire brigade has left, many homeowners don't know what to do next.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do — step by step — including how your insurance claim works and why you shouldn't have to deal with the insurance company yourself.
⚠️ Do not use your fireplace or stove again until a qualified specialist has inspected the chimney. What looks like a minor fire can leave cracks in the flue lining that allow carbon monoxide into your home — invisible and potentially fatal.
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
Call 999 if you haven't already
If the fire is still active or you're unsure, call 999 immediately. The fire brigade will attend, confirm the fire is out, and check that the chimney is safe from the outside. They will usually advise you not to use the fireplace until it has been professionally inspected. Keep their report — you'll need it for your insurance claim.
Contact your home insurance provider
Call your insurer to notify them of the chimney fire. Do this as soon as possible — most policies require prompt notification. Don't agree to any repair work or make any admissions about the cause until you have a certified inspection report.
Call a qualified chimney repair specialist for a CCTV inspection
This is the most important step. The only way to properly assess chimney fire damage is a CCTV camera inspection inside the flue. This reveals cracks, spalling, collapsed sections, and liner damage that are completely invisible from outside. You need a written, certified report with HD imagery for your insurance claim.
Let your specialist manage the insurance claim
A qualified chimney repair specialist who works regularly with insurance companies can manage the entire claim for you. They liaise directly with your insurer and their loss adjusters, submit the certified report, negotiate the scope of repairs, and see the job through to completion. You don't deal with the insurance company at all.
Have all repairs carried out before using the chimney again
Once your claim is approved, all structural repairs must be completed before you light another fire. This may include full or partial chimney relining, stack rebuilding, flashing renewal, or pot replacement. Your specialist will specify exactly what is required in the insurance report.
What Happens Inside a Chimney Fire
Most people picture visible flames shooting from the chimney top — but many chimney fires are invisible. They burn inside the flue, in the layer of creosote and soot that builds up on the flue walls, at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. At that temperature, clay liner sections can crack or explode. Steel liners buckle. Mortar joints fail. The structural integrity of the entire stack can be compromised.
This is why a visual inspection from the outside — or even looking down from the chimney top — is completely inadequate. The damage is inside the flue, and only a CCTV camera can see it.
What Chimney Fire Damage Looks Like on CCTV
- Cracked or shattered clay liner sections
- Collapsed or displaced liner joints
- Spalling of the inner flue wall masonry
- Deformation or buckling of steel liners
- Creosote deposits that survived the fire and remain a hazard
- Gaps in the liner that allow CO to seep into adjacent rooms
Will My Home Insurance Cover a Chimney Fire?
In most cases, yes. Chimney fires caused by the buildup of soot and creosote are typically covered under standard home insurance policies as an accidental damage claim. The key is having a certified inspection report from a qualified specialist — without it, insurers may dispute or reduce the claim.
The insurer will appoint a loss adjuster to assess the damage. If your chimney specialist already has an established relationship with Irish loss adjusters and knows how to present the technical evidence correctly, this process goes much more smoothly.
How J.Roberts Solid Fuel Services Handles Your Claim
Jonathon Roberts is qualified to provide certified insurance reports for chimney fire damage and has excellent working relationships with many of Ireland's leading insurance companies and loss adjusters. When you call us after a chimney fire:
- We attend and carry out a full CCTV inspection of the flue
- We provide a certified written report with HD camera imagery
- We submit the report directly to your insurer
- We manage all communication with the loss adjuster
- We carry out all agreed repairs to the highest standard
You don't deal with the insurance company at all.
Had a chimney fire? Call Jonathon now.
We cover all 26 counties of Ireland. The sooner we inspect, the stronger your insurance claim.