A SPATE of chimney fires has sparked a plea to householders to heed advice on how to stop one from devastating their homes.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) was called to eight emergencies across the two counties this weekend involving real fires or woodburning stoves.

On Friday night, crews from Redditch were called to a chimney fire at a house in Latimer Road in Alvechurch, while on Saturday lunchtime Worcester firefighters put out a fire involving a woodburning stove in Woodbury Lane, Norton.

Crews in Evesham were called to extinguish a small fire in a chimney at a property in Leys Road in Harvington on Saturday night.

There were two separate fires involving woodburning stoves near Ledbury yesterday lunchtime - the first in Berrow and the second in Parkway.

This was followed by a chimney fire in Cradley, near Malvern, and two in Leintwardine yesterday afternoon.

Station Commander Alan Haley, from HWFRS’s community safety department, said: “We saw a cluster of chimney fires once again this weekend over the two counties and while there were no injuries as a result of these incidents, we want to ensure people realise just how devastating chimney fires can prove.

“Most chimney fires, however, are avoidable simply through good care and maintenance and we would urge anyone with a real fire or woodburning stove to ensure they have their chimney swept on a regular basis throughout the winter months.”

A list of approved chimney sweeps and further advice is available from hwfire.org.uk under the Your Safety heading.