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Chimney & Fireplace

Sealed off chimney for live gas fire

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.24 PM

My mother’s bungalow has an active gas fire where someone had completely sealed off the chimney stack with no vents whatsoever using a cap for drainage pipes. She became disoriented and drowsy and after several falls was placed in a nursing home and no one suspected carbon monoxide as the detector was not working. She died soon after. The police aren’t interested, has anyone any advice please? Gas fire installer was not the person who capped the chimney

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

Toasty Stoves

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Bristol
Wow. Have to go back to last installer. Was it registered?.
Answered28 August 2021
2

Cardiff chimney sweeps

Rating: 5 out of 5
Cardiff
That’s absolutely disgusting, what was the cause of death could be carbon monoxide related by the sounds of it . Firstly I’d get hold of the guys who capped off the chimney and the gas engineer who installed the gas fire , of course the gas fire needs ventilation as the fumes got to go up the chimney , otherwise they come back in the room and hey presto carbon monoxide fills the room and we all know what happens then . . I would definitely take this further as like I said people are to blame and should face the consequences
Answered30 August 2021
1

CHIM Chimney Services

Rating: 5 out of 5
Didcot
I completely agree with Cardiff chimney sweeps answer, I have had carbon monoxide poisoning and it’s horrible. Chimneys of any sort used or out of service need to be ventilated. A gas cowl should of been fitted if an active appliance is in place and the chimney should really of been lined with a gas liner to prevent carbon monoxide entering any occupied space. I would certainly follow this up. Hope this helps. Lewis
Answered3 September 2021
0

All Way Chimney Services

Rating: 5 out of 5
King's Lynn
I'm very sorry for your loss, you should contact a specialist solicitor in such matters. In my opinion the gas installation should have included a terminal depending on the legislation at the time. If the original terminal was removed by a 'guy' with some ladders and replaced with a cap I don't think you would have any recourse. You will definitely need some paperwork relating to the installation of both the gas fire and the chimney cap as evidence.
Answered9 September 2021
0