FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a chimney fire in Cam on Friday.

The blaze, which is being treated as non-suspicious, at a house in Draycott Crescent, was the second of two chimney fires last week after crews were called to a Uley home last Monday.

John Beard, assistant chief fire officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Chimney fires are extremely dangerous as they can reach temperatures above 1,000C inside the flue or chimney and will spread rapidly.

“We have seen a worrying increase in these types of fire and we have also attended a number of fires where households have dried wood close to a wood burner and it has caught alight.

“Wood should always be dried away from a heat source and we urge anyone with a fire to put the safety of your loved ones first by using an accredited chimney sweep regularly.”