Wiltshire named second-worst county in England for chimney fires
Fire crews have said they're seeing more rubbish being burned and are warning that nearly half of all chimney fires are caused by the wrong fuel
Wiltshire is the second-worst county in England for chimney fires, according to statistics released as part of Chimney Fire Safety Week.
And the campaign, which is run by trade body HETAS, suggests “a worrying decline in chimney and fireplace maintenance,” with one-in-five chimney sweeps saying stove owners are having their fires maintained less than they were just five years ago.
More than a third say one in every 10 properties they visit has never had a chimney sweep, while nearly half say it is down to cost-of-living pressures.
Financial pressures also mean people are burning more rubbish – despite incorrect fuels being the cause of 43 per cent of chimney fires.
Nappies, Christmas trees, cardboard, old furniture, and garden waste are all being thrown on open fires or loaded into wood burners, according to the professionals.
There were 1,665 chimney fires in England in the year ending March 2026 – with 89 occurring in the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area.
Devon and Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, Kent, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and Hereford and Worcester registered the most chimney fires, with Greater London and Bedfordshire seeing the greatest increases, with incidents doubling over the year.
Industry guidance recommends sweeping chimneys at least twice a year when burning wood, and at least once every 12 months when using smokeless fuels.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service advises households to have their chimneys swept regularly, use safe fuel, and keep their flues well-maintained to prevent fires.
It says soot, creosote and obstructions such as nests, leaves and debris can build up in a chimney or flue and create a fire risk or cause property damage.
It also advises having a chimney swept before using a fireplace that has been unused for years.
It also offers the following advice:
Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids to light a fire.
Avoid burning excessive paper or rubbish.
Do not overload the appliance with fuel.
Use only seasoned wood; do not burn green or unseasoned wood, or wood that has been painted, varnished, coated or treated.
Keep wood, logs and other combustible fuel away from the stove or flue.
Use a fireguard to contain sparks and hot embers.
Ensure the fire is fully out before going to bed or leaving the house.
Do not dry or air clothes close to, or directly on, a stove or flue.
It says the owners of thatched properties should be particularly careful.