Ga. Firefighter Hurt After Brick Fireplace Collapse

March 05--A Glynn County firefighter is temporarily out of commission after a brick fireplace collapsed Sunday during a chimney fire.

The fire was reported around 3:45 p.m. Sunday at 407 Ashley Marsh Drive on Blythe Island.

The brick facade and mantle surrounding the fireplace inside the house collapsed during the fire, injuring the firefighter's leg.

Glynn County Fire Chief Al Thomas declined to identify the firefighter who was injured but said he would miss some time at work due to the injury, which is not considered severe.

"He is going to be out for a little bit. We just don't know for how long," Thomas said.

The fire was confined to the chimney and was put out quickly, he said.

Thomas said the fire department has had to work only a few chimney fires this winter.

He said residents who burn wood in fireplaces should take caution to ensure their chimneys are clean.

Chimneys can catch on fire when enough residue builds up inside the shaft.

How much residue accumulates depends largely on what is being burned in the fireplace, Thomas said.

Burning pine leads to more residue than burning hardwoods like oak, he said.

Thomas said regular cleanings and burning primarily hardwood decreases chances a chimney fire will start.

-- Reporter Michael Hall writes about public safety, environment and other local topics. Contact him at [email protected], on Facebook or at 265-8320, ext. 320.

Copyright 2013 - The Brunswick News, Ga.