Flames from a Furnace Chimney: Get Help Fast

Learn why you should get help fast when you see flames from a furnace chimney. Find out how to call a qualified HVAC contractor to inspect your furnace and protect you from fire.

LESLIE: Harry in New York, you have called us just in time because your son saw flames coming out of his chimney?

HARRY: Yes. My son and my little nephew were outside and they were looking up on the top of the house and they saw – came running in and told my wife that they saw flames coming out of the chimney. And she asked him, “Well, do you mean the chimney?” and they said, “No, the pipe in the center of the house.”

TOM: Huh.

HARRY: And that was actually the chimney for the furnace and I was wondering if that was possible or not.

TOM: Well, it absolutely is possible and you immediately need to get that inspected by a qualified HVAC contractor and/or a chimney sweep. But I would prefer an HVAC contractor because it sounds like it’s the vent pipe coming off your furnace.

LESLIE: Well, and you should have your heating and cooling service provider – they do maintenance and they do service calls. You should call them because they’re familiar with your service, who provides it, how it’s done. And they already have a deal with you so they’re not going to try to upgrade you on something. They are already in business with you.

TOM: Harry, this is not something to mess around with. You want to get this checked out. It’s entirely possible – and who knows what combination of malfunction could lead to this – but if your son and your little nephew saw that, you know, don’t think twice. Just call and get it checked out. The least that’s going to happen is you’re going to get that furnace serviced at the same time.

HARRY: OK, thank you. I was just curious because it’s like three stories tall.

TOM: Get right on it, Harry, OK?

HARRY: OK. Thank you much.

TOM: Alright. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT. Little home improvement 911 call there from Harry in New York.

LESLIE: Yeah, that’s major. Chimney fires are responsible for houses burning down in like seconds.

TOM: They can kind of come out like – they look like Roman candles when they really ignite.

LESLIE: Oh, yeah.

TOM: Now he was talking about a furnace vent pipe …

LESLIE: The furnace pipe.

TOM: … which would be unusual to have a chimney fire there but I’m thinking there could be some combustion gas build up, some explosive emissions …

LESLIE: Trapped in there. Something’s not right.

TOM: … something not quite right that’s causing that. Definitely worth getting checked out.