After firefighters tackled their first chimney fire of the season on Monday, Somers Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Havens encouraged people to clean their chimneys before cold weather arrives.

The small fire was reported on Bierney Creek Road in Lakeside at 9:53 p.m. Firefighters knocked it down quickly.

“It burned inside a little bit, just around where the pipe goes into the ceiling,” Havens said.

Damage to the home was minimal, but Havens said chimney fires are common at this time of year as people fire up wood-burning stoves without first cleaning out debris left from last season. That debris can ignite.

“It’s that time of year,” Havens said. “People need to be thinking about cleaning their stove first before firing it up.”

Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at [email protected].