Chimney Fire Damage Ireland — What To Do Next
A chimney fire can happen in minutes but cause damage that lasts years. This guide covers the warning signs, what to do immediately, and how we handle everything from inspection to insurance claim.
What Happens During a Chimney Fire
A chimney fire occurs when creosote, soot, or tar deposits inside the flue ignite. These deposits build up over time, especially when burning unseasoned wood, turf, or coal at low temperatures. When they catch fire, temperatures inside the flue can exceed 1,100 degrees Celsius — hot enough to crack masonry, destroy flue liners, and cause structural damage to the chimney stack and surrounding walls.
Visible Chimney Fires
These are the dramatic fires that most people recognise. You may see flames or sparks shooting from the top of the chimney, hear a loud roaring or rumbling sound, notice dense smoke or a strong acrid smell throughout the house. In severe cases, the fire brigade may be called. Visible chimney fires are unmistakable and always require a professional inspection before using the chimney again.
Invisible Chimney Fires
Far more common — and more dangerous — are the chimney fires you never see. These slow-burning fires smoulder inside the flue, often without any visible flames or dramatic sounds. They can burn for hours or even days without being noticed, gradually cracking the flue liner, weakening mortar joints, and creating hidden pathways for heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide to reach your home's structure. Many homeowners only discover they've had an invisible chimney fire when a CCTV survey reveals the internal damage.
6 Warning Signs of Chimney Fire Damage
Even if you didn't see flames, these signs may indicate your chimney has been damaged by a fire. If you notice any of these, stop using your fire immediately and call for an inspection.
Cracks in the Chimney Stack
Visible cracks, splits, or gaps in the external brickwork or masonry. Even hairline cracks can indicate that extreme heat has compromised the structural integrity of the stack.
Damp Patches on Chimney Breast
Water stains, damp patches, or discolouration appearing on the walls near the chimney breast. This often means the flue liner is cracked and allowing moisture to penetrate into the masonry.
Debris Falling Into the Fireplace
Pieces of mortar, broken flue liner, or brick fragments dropping into the firebox. This is a clear sign of internal damage and means the chimney is unsafe to use.
Smoke Coming Into Rooms
Smoke or fumes escaping into the room instead of going up the chimney, or appearing through walls in other rooms. This indicates cracks or gaps in the flue allowing smoke to escape.
Discoloured or Warped Flue Liner
If you can see inside the chimney, look for warped, cracked, or discoloured flue tiles. These are signs that the liner has been subjected to extreme temperatures during a chimney fire.
Poor Draw or Changed Performance
If your fire no longer draws as well as it used to, struggles to light, or produces more smoke than normal, the flue may be partially blocked by fire-damaged debris or a collapsed liner.
What To Do Immediately After a Chimney Fire
If you suspect a chimney fire — whether you saw flames or just noticed warning signs — follow these steps to protect your home and family.
Stop Using the Fire Immediately
Do not light another fire until the chimney has been professionally inspected. A damaged flue can allow heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide to reach combustible materials in your walls and roof space.
Call the Fire Brigade if Necessary
If you see flames at the chimney top, hear a loud roaring sound, or smell burning in walls or the attic, call 999 or 112 immediately. Do not try to extinguish a chimney fire with water — this can cause a steam explosion.
Ventilate the House
Open windows and doors to clear any smoke or fumes. If you have carbon monoxide detectors and they are sounding, evacuate the house immediately.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Most home insurance policies cover accidental chimney fire damage. Report the incident to your insurer and note your claim reference number. Or better still — call Jonathon and he will handle the entire claim for you.
Get a Professional Inspection
A CCTV camera survey of the full chimney flue is the only way to properly assess the extent of fire damage. External inspections alone are not enough — the most serious damage is often hidden inside the flue.
Get a Certified Report
For insurance claims, you need a certified report documenting the damage with imagery and a recommended scope of works. Jonathon provides this as part of every chimney fire assessment.
How Insurance Claims Work for Chimney Fires
Most home insurance policies in Ireland cover chimney fire damage as an accidental event. The process involves reporting the damage to your insurer, having the chimney inspected and a certified report produced, the insurer appointing a loss adjuster, the loss adjuster approving the scope of works, and then the repair being carried out by a qualified specialist.
This process can be time-consuming and confusing if you try to manage it yourself — dealing with assessors, loss adjusters, paperwork, and negotiations. That is where Jonathon comes in.
Jonathon handles your insurance claim from start to finish — you don't deal with the insurance company at all.
From the initial CCTV survey and certified report to liaising with loss adjusters and completing the repair, Jonathon manages every step so you don't have to.
What the Insurance Claim Covers
Depending on the extent of damage and your policy, chimney fire insurance claims typically cover:
- CCTV chimney inspection and certified damage report
- Chimney relining with flexible steel or clay liner
- Partial or full chimney stack rebuild
- Replacement of chimney pot, cowl, and flashing
- Scaffolding and access costs
- Waterproofing of the rebuilt chimney
- Internal plastering and making good where necessary
How J.Roberts Handles Chimney Fire Damage
When you call Jonathon, he takes care of everything. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
Free Initial Assessment
Jonathon visits your property, inspects the chimney externally, and carries out a full CCTV camera survey of the flue. This identifies all damage — visible and hidden.
Certified Insurance Report
A detailed written report with CCTV imagery documenting all damage, the recommended scope of works, and a professional assessment. This report is submitted directly to your insurance company.
Insurance Claim Management
Jonathon liaises directly with your insurer and their loss adjuster. He handles all communication, paperwork, and negotiations. We have excellent working relationships with many of Ireland's leading insurance companies and loss adjusters.
Professional Repair
Once the claim is approved, the repair work is carried out to the highest standard. This includes chimney relining, stack rebuilds, flashing, waterproofing, and all finishing work.
Final Sign-Off
The completed work is inspected, a certificate of compliance is provided, and your chimney is safe to use again. Jonathon ensures the loss adjuster is satisfied and the claim is closed out properly.
Worried About Chimney Fire Damage?
Call Jonathon for a free chimney inspection and damage assessment. If it is an insurance claim, he handles everything from start to finish — you don't deal with the insurance company at all.