Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 07/05) - A Rivett Crescent home sustained minor damage during a Sunday night chimney fire.

The Yellowknife fire department was called to the home at 9:20 p.m.

"On arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from not only the chimney, but also from the roof area around the chimney," said Lieut. Mike Lowing said.

Firefighters used a thermal imaging device to pinpoint the fire. Once that was done, they cut into the roof around the chimney to get at the flames and put out the fire.

"There was some minor structural damage done to the inside of the home."

There is no estimate as of yet for the property damage.

The cause has not yet been determined and the fire marshal is investigating, he said.

Three Yellowknife firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.

Chimney fires in general are not difficult to extinguish, Lowing said, however a challenge exists when the fire breeches the chimney and catches onto the surrounding structure.

It is then the concealed fire must be dug out to be extinguished.

Lowing said it is at this point in the season, when people are beginning to use their home heating systems once again, that every appliance should be checked.

"Fireplace chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by somebody knowledgeable. All heating appliances, oil or propane, should have an annual service."