Faulty chimney likely cause of Wednesday house fire
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 02:14 p.m., January 24, 2008
Updated 02:14 p.m., January 24, 2008
Fire crews are back on the scene this morning putting out hot spots on a home that was destroyed by a fire early Wednesday morning.
Fire crews first responded to the fire at 3:02 a.m. Wednesday at 1052 Road 210. The home is owned by Sam Kraft.
Emporia Fire Marshal Tom Andrews said this morning that the fire has been ruled accidental and likely was caused by a faulty chimney.
Andrews said the estimated loss on the home is $150,000 and $70,000 in loss of contents.
Andrews said Kraft had smelled smoke for 15 or 16 hours in the home before fire was detected.
“If (people) smell smoke they should give us a call and have it checked out,” Andrews said.
Andrews also said chimneys should be checked once a year by a professional chimney sweep. In the case of the Kraft home, it likely was caused by a cracked clay liner in the chimney. Chimney sweeps can clean the chimney out and then run a camera up to see if there is any damage, Andrews said.