A fire on Stanley Street last week demonstrated the importance of cleaning your chimney.
Nelson firefighters arrived to find the homeowner on the roof trying to put out the fire. The fire department was able to use a piece of infrared equipment to search for hotspots. Once the fire was under control, the homeowner "sheepishly" told police he knew the chimney was due for cleaning, but with the recent warmer weather had put it off.
"This minor incident was a good reminder to all involved that wood heat can be safe and cost effective, however, routine maintenance and adhering to safety standards are imperative," said acting Nelson police Sgt. Brian Weber.