Firefighters tackle chimney blaze in Rustington

The incident took place at a home in Sea Lane, at 8.18pm.

One crew from Littlehampton rushed to extinguish the fire before it spread throughout the property.

The team used a range of equipment to dislodge the flaming material from inside the chimney and put out the blaze.

No-one was injured during the emergency and the property suffered no further damage, a fire service spokesman said.

The spokesman added: “There wasn’t any thatched roofing which was a blessing otherwise it could have been worse.”

Firefighters left the scene little more than an hour later, at 9.20pm.

The incident came after a warning by the fire service in January to residents following a spate of chimney fires.

The service offered top tips on how to reduce the risk, with advice including:

. Have your chimney swept at least once a year, twice a year if burning wood;

. When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods from reputable suppliers;

. If you have a wood burner, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on fuel loading and air flow;

. Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire;

. Do not overload the grate or appliance;

. Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires;

. Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house;

. Install a smoke alarm on each level of your property and test them regularly;

To find a local chimney sweep, contact the National Association of Chimney Sweeps on 0800 833464 or click here.