Loch Sheldrake, NY — February 16th — Thick black smoke was observed pouring from a chimney at a house, prompting firefighters from Loch Sheldrake Fire Company No. 1 to respond to a report of a potential building fire. With the Hurleyville Fire Department's help, crews came and looked into the matter. Firefighters concluded that the smoke was produced by accumulation in the chimney rather than an actual structural fire after inspecting the chimney and inside conditions.

Crews stayed on the site to make sure the area was secure and to make sure there was no extension inside the house. Because wood stoves and fireplaces are used more often in the winter, calls about chimneys are common. Residents are reminded by fire officials that routine chimney cleanings and inspections can help lower the danger of chimney fires.