By SDCN Staff
Escondido, CA–A blaze that erupted from a fireplace inside a home sent plumes of black smoke from a chimney early Saturday morning in Escondido, authorities said.
Escondido police and fire department received reports of a chimney fire around 5:39 a.m. at 943 Viletta Drive.
When fire crews arrived, they saw smoke from the rear corner of the house. The occupants of the home waited outside.
Fire crews were able to contain and control the blaze in approximately 15 minutes, preventing an additional fire from spreading to the remainder of the house.
There were no injuries to firefighters.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire officials say poorly kept chimneys and fireplaces are a frequent cause of house fires in the winter months. Chimney sweeping, fireplace maintenance, and selecting the correct wood or artificial log product according to fireplace specifications, are important safety measures.
