SHELBURNE FALLS — Fire Chief Herb Guyette is urging residents to check that their smoke detectors are working and chimneys are clear of debris after responding to a chimney fire at 96 Main St. on Monday night.
Guyette said there were no injuries, but the homeowner, a woman in her 70s, was taken to Baystate Franklin Medical Center for evaluation as a precaution. He believes it was caused by a malfunction or a buildup of debris in the chimney.
“She was at home and had been awoken by her smoke alarm,” Guyette said. “She was able to get out and call 911.”
The call came in at 11:19 p.m., and crews were able to get the fire under control by approximately 12:30 a.m. Guyette said. Crews from the Buckland, Shelburne, Shelburne Falls, Ashfield, Colrain, Bernardston, Greenfield, and other fire departments were on scene until 3:15 a.m. The fire began as a first alarm, and was raised to a three-alarm fire to increase resources and get more mutual aid.
“We had 17 departments that were moved around the county, either on scene or covering another department,” Guyette said.
The fire began on the first floor, then went up the chimney, requiring careful response from firefighters, Guyette said, as the fire had surrounded them.
“It ended up being above and under us,” Guyette said.
Guyette said he urges residents to double-check that their smoke detectors are working, and their fireplaces and chimneys are clean and clear of debris to prevent fires. Had the smoke alarm not been working in the home Monday night, he said the fire could have grown even larger before the homeowner had noticed and called for help.
“Working smoke detectors are so important; they saved another life last night,” Guyette said.
