A chimney fire caused more than $60,000 damage and displaced a family of three from their Mountlake Terrace home early Sunday morning.

The fire was reported around 1:40 a.m. by a resident of the single-story home in the 24300 block of 59th Place West. “The man was awake and heard an unusual crackling sound coming from the wood stove. He went to investigate and could tell something wasn’t right. He woke up his wife and 2-year-old daughter, got them out of the house and called 911,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire service in the City of Mountlake Terrace.

The chimney and adjacent wall were engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived, Hynes said. Firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Shoreline responded and had the fire under control in about 20 minutes. No one was injured.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and started inside the chimney behind the wood stove that had been in use when the fire broke out. The fire spread from the chimney to an adjacent wall and attic. Damage left the house uninhabitable. Red Cross responded to assist the family.

Fire District 1 offers these tips to prevent chimney and wood stove fires:
· Have a qualified professional install stoves, chimney connectors, and chimneys. Stoves should have the label of an independent testing laboratory.
· In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
· Have your chimney and stove inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep every fall just before heating season. Clean the inside of your stove periodically using a wire brush.
· Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from the home and other buildings.
· Keep a close eye on children whenever a wood or pellet stove is being used. Remind them to stay at least 3 feet away from the stove.
· Stoves need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the stove.
· Install and maintain and carbon monoxide alarms (CO) outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
· Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.