Chimney Fire

On Saturday, March 23rd at 1641 hours, Companies 300, 400 & 600 were dispatched to the 26000 block of Hobbs Road for the reported House Fire.  While Engine 302 was enroute, Communications advised that they believed it was a chimney fire.  Paramedic 392 (Lister) arrived and advised Engine 302 (Berneski) they had smoke showing from the roofline around the chimney.  Engine 302 and tanker 306 arrived and Officer 318 established command.  Upon investigation, the entire chimney, from the roof to the cleanout in the kitchen, was found to be comprimised with smoke venting from every mortar joint.  Due to a severe instability of the chimney, crews disassembeled the chimney outside to the roofline only to encounter a blockage that took some time to clear.  Crews had to use a pipe and sledge hammer to force the blockage down.  Once the blockage was cleared, the remaining chimney was chained.  Units on scene: E302, T306, PM392, E401, E603.