Hello
I have had a chimney fire in the old black single wall pipe from my wood stove which I no longer have. That was from creosote but did not set the house on fire! Wood Pellet stoves do not create very much creosote and the pellet pipe is better than the old single wall black pipe??
However I do agree J that they must be kept clean
The only other thing I can think of is if the flue goes straight out with no vertical rise, then the wind can cause a burn back in the hopper!
Last night, The very high winds could have been the contributing factor that set it off!
Also it went down to 15 degrees last night so the stove could have been on a very high heat setting.
I saw the home owner on TV. He said the pellet stove was smoking and the house was on fire behind the pellet stove. I have porcelain tile behind my pellet stove which is on cement board. He must have had something more flammable behind his pellet stove!
Hopefully we can learn something from this terrible accident.
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http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x2018345520/Fire-sends-family-into-the-cold
December 28, 2010
Fire sends family into the cold
By John Toole, Allegra Boverman and J.J. Huggins Staff Writers The Eagle Tribune Tue Dec 28, 2010, 12:51 AM EST
DERRY — A family using a pellet stove to keep cozy last night had to flee into the brutal cold when their house went up in flames.
The fire was the most serious incident reported in the wake of a winter storm that brought snow and high winds to southern New Hampshire.
Firefighters from Derry and several neighboring communities were called to 12 Eastman Drive for a two-alarm fire that destroyed the single-family home.
"Everyone got out fine," said the homeowner, Mark Salvucci, 43.
Firefighters entered the burning house and rescued a pet ferret, Salvucci said.
Salvucci said he was on his way home from work at the time of the fire. Neighbors said his wife, Michelle, works at Dunkin Donuts and was wearing only her work uniform when she hurried outside. Salvucci's father, Anthony, who is visiting from Florida, said the family lost money and presents in the inferno.
Neighbors brought clothing to the family, who kept warm in a sport utility vehicle while firefighters fought the blaze.
Anthony Salvucci said the fire originated from the pellet stove. He said he was sitting at the table using his computer when his wife ran into the room and told him the house was on fire.
Fire Battalion Chief Michael Doyle said the fire is under investigation. He said firefighters received a 911 call from the home reporting the fire at 6:49 p.m. He said they arrived within five to six minutes and found heavy smoke and fire. He said the house is now uninhabitable.
Mark Salvucci said he and his family will stay with his in-laws in Derry. His family lived on Eastman Drive for five years, he said. The property was assessed at $219,500.
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http://www.wmur.com/news/26297556/detail.html
Fire officials in Derry say a fire that broke out at a home on Eastman Street Monday night left a family displaced.
DERRY, N.H. -- Fire officials in Derry said a house fire that broke out Monday night left a family of five displaced.
Firefighters were called to the home at 12 Eastman Street around 7 p.m. Monday. Officials said by the time crews arrived, the house was already heavily involved with smoke.
Fire officials said the house was destroyed in the fire. The cause remains under investigation, but the people staying there said they first noticed smoke pouring out of the pellet stove.
"My wife came running down and said the house is on fire I said it's the pellet stove and smoke was pouring out of it and I loomed out back and the whole back of the house was engulfed in flames. It just took of so fast I said get the dog get your coat and get out of the house" said Tony Salvucci.
The Derry fire department said two adults inside the house at the time managed to safely escape, but a pet was lost in the fire. Officials said three firefighters were injured while battling the fire. Two of the firefighters suffered minor burns to their head and face. A third firefighter was taken to a hospital after experiencing difficulties breathing.
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(broken link removed to http://www.1rbn.com/webpages/news/displaynews.aspx?ID=21612bb9-6e1d-4e04-a6db-f8fbc0b3cade)
Derry Fire responded to 12 Eastman Drive on December 27, 2010 for a reported structure fire at 6:48 P.M.
On arrival Battalion Chief Doyle reports he has a 40x30 Feet 2.5 story wood frame contemporary with heavy smoke showing.
First arriving companies make an extremely aggressive interior attack and were driven out after an extremely violent flash over of the entire first floor, sending three Fire Fighters to the Parkland Medical Center. A second alarm was immediately sounded and crews went to a defensive attack. The Members were treated and later released with minor injuries.
Crews battled this blaze in 17 degree temperatures with wind gusts at 38 M.P.H. at the tail end of a blizzard in the New England area.
The home was occupied at the time of the blaze by two visitors of the home owners and were able to self evacuate prior to the arrival of fire companies.
The cause of this blaze is under investigation by the Derry Fire Prevention Bureau and is not suspicious.
Mutual Aid was provided by Auburn, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham at the scene. The fire occurred in an area without hydrants and required tankers from Atkinson, Auburn, Chester, Sandown and Windham. Station coverage was provided by Raymond, Hooksett, Danville, and Pelham.