Several fire departments were able to quickly contain and extinguish a chimney fire in Brady Township on Saturday, Feb. 17, which prevented the fire from spreading.

BRADY TOWNSHIP — Fire Departments from Clay Township, West Sunbury, Unionville, Prospect and Slippery Rock volunteer fire departments responded to a chimney fire around noon Saturday, Feb. 17, on West Lane after the homeowner, Hunter Davis, was unable to contain the flames.

“The fire came out of the stove pipe,” Davis said. “I saw (flames) come out and started putting water on it and it wasn’t working, so I called the fire department. They came and got it under control.”

Michael Slair, assistant chief with Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company, said firefighters were able to contain the fire within five minutes of arriving.

“Chimney fires can be complicated,” he said. “Luckily this one was able to be contained real quick. When we showed up on scene the homeowner was already trying to extinguish the fire. He did keep it contained to the (original) location.”

Slair said the fire was likely caused by a build up of creosote, which is derived from the distillation of tar in wood or coal.

Davis said he was thankful for the “promptness” of the fire departments.

“They put my mind at ease because I knew I wasn’t going to get it out,” Davis said.