A quick-witted police community support officer managed to sniff out a fire before it could spread.
The PCSO spotted an unusual amount of smoke billowing from a home’s chimney alongside the A420 Bristol Road, in Chippenham, shortly before 6pm yesterday (26 April).
Worried, he parked his police vehicle on the grass outside the property in Mouth Pleasant and knocked on the door to investigate.
The occupants, who were home at the time, said the fire in the fireplace was put out some time ago – yet the chimney was producing a smoke plume across the main road.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were promptly called and rushed to the scene.
Firefighters assessed the chimney and found it to be alight. They extinguished the fire using chimney rods, a short extension roof ladder and working at height equipment.
The home’s roof space was checked to ensure the flames had not spread.
