A chimney fire — even a small one you barely noticed — can crack your liner and leave hidden damage that makes the next fire dangerous. Here is exactly what to do afterward to keep your home safe.
First, make sure everyone is safe
If a chimney fire is happening, get everyone out of the house, call the fire department, and do not use the fireplace. Chimney fires can be loud — cracking, a rumbling like a freight train — or surprisingly quiet, so a slow-burning one may go unnoticed at the time.
Do not use the fireplace again
Even if the fire seemed minor and went out on its own, stop using the fireplace until it has been inspected. The intense heat of a chimney fire can crack clay tile liners and damage the masonry in ways you cannot see from the firebox.
Get a Level 2 inspection
After any chimney fire, the accepted next step is a Level 2 inspection with a video camera scan of the flue. This is the only reliable way to find cracked liner tiles, damaged masonry, and gaps that would let heat and gases reach your home on the next fire.
Repair before you burn again
- A cracked liner usually needs relining with a new stainless steel liner
- Damaged masonry or a cracked crown needs repair
- The chimney should be swept to remove the puffy, expanded creosote a fire leaves behind
- Only burn again once the chimney is confirmed safe
Had a chimney fire? Get it checked.
Careful work, up-front pricing, seven days a week in La Grange and the western suburbs.
Call (708) 432-5330Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I had a chimney fire?
Signs during include loud cracking or a rumbling sound and dense smoke; afterward, look for puffy or honeycombed creosote, cracked flue tiles, a warped damper, or discolored rooftop components.
Can I use my fireplace after a chimney fire?
No — not until a Level 2 inspection confirms the liner and masonry are undamaged. Hidden cracks can make the next fire dangerous.
Why do I need a Level 2 inspection?
A camera scan of the flue is the only reliable way to find the cracked tiles and gaps a chimney fire can cause, which are invisible from the firebox.
Will I need to reline the chimney?
Often yes. Chimney fires frequently crack clay tile liners, and a stainless steel reline restores safe, code-compliant venting.
Written by Adam Evans, owner of Chimney Sweep Brothers and a chimney technician with 12 years of experience serving La Grange, IL and the western suburbs.