FIRE crews from Newton Abbot tackled a chimney fire in Ipplepen.

When the call came in on Wednesday evening, the crew were preparing for their weekly drill night but attended the scene to find the occupants of the property confirming that vast quantities of smoke and some flames coming from the top of a chimney stack.

Firefighters set to work to extinguish the fire which was within the fire place while other colleagues used a thermal imaging camera and checked the chimney stack and loft space for hot spots.

They also cleared furniture and belongings from the room.

Further investigations using a camera made more checks which showed there was no more build up of heat.

It was discovered the home owners had been burning wood which had been treated with chemicals typically used in fencing or decking.

It is believed the chemicals is what caused the smoke and flames.

A spokesman for Newton Abbot fire station said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to please make sure your chimneys are regularly swept and that only seasoned, untreated wood is burned when heating your homes with a log burner.’