Firefighters are reminding residents to inspect their flues after an uncleared wasps’ nest sparked a chimney fire in Aldington, Ashford, on Monday night, 22 December.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the property on Knoll Hill at 20:11. Two fire engines were dispatched to the scene, where crews discovered that heat from burning logs had ignited a large wasps’ nest lodged inside the chimney.
Firefighters worked for over three hours to bring the incident under control, using chimney gear to clear the obstruction. and flexi-packs (portable water tanks with sprays) to extinguish the embers.
The fire was fully extinguished by 23:34. Fortunately, no injuries were reported but following the incident, crews are urging homeowners to ensure chimneys are professionally swept before lighting the first fire of the season. Wasps’ nests and bird debris are common hidden hazards that can easily ignite after a long period of disuse.