Valley Springs, CA – A flue fire at a Valley Springs home has local fire officials offering fire prevention tips.
A passerby saw smoke coming from the chimney and called 911, while the home’s occupants relayed that they had no idea their house was on fire. Calaveras Consolidated Fire (CCF) crews responded to the scene on Thursday morning, December 11, 2025, after a caller requested a smoke check at a home on Glen Court in the La Contenta Subdivision in Calaveras County. The passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the roof/chimney.
Upon arrival, firefighters determined that there was a chimney fire that had extended into the attic, upgrading it to a structure fire and calling in additional fire resources. Fire crews quickly knocked down the blaze, limiting its spread into the attic. The occupants of the home, two adults and two dogs, reported having no idea that there was a chimney fire and attributed the caller’s actions to possibly saving their lives. The Red Cross is assisting the family.
The cause of the fire was determined to have started in the flue pipe and extended into the attic. With many people using fireplaces to stay warm due to the fog and cold weather lately, CCF wants to remind everyone to follow these safety tips, along with maintenance and inspection, to prevent a home fire:
Have a certified professional inspect and clean your chimney annually to remove soot and creosote.
- Burn only seasoned dry hardwood.
- Maintain good airflow for sufficient burns.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
