When temperatures drop, chimneys and woodstoves keep firefighters busy. Captain Chad Grossman with the Fitchburg's Fire Department says the main cause is failing to clean out the chimneys and stovepipes. Another issue, treating fireplaces or woodstoves like a garbage disposal. "People are burning trash, (and) other items in their woodburning stoves and fireplaces," says Grossman. "That's not what they're designed for." Chimney and woodstove fires are more prevalent with the onset of cold weather in Wisconsin. Grossman says what starts as a little chimney fire can easily take down a home.
