East Lothian Courier | News | Build-up of tar causes fire at smokehouse

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 08:10

Build-up of tar causes fire at smokehouse

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A FIRE in the flue of a kiln at Belhaven Trout Farm last Friday caused minor damage to a chimney and extraction fan.

Two fire crews from Dunbar and East Linton spent an hour at the trout farm and smokehouse near Beltonford, arriving at 3.54pm. They wore breathing kits as they tackled the flames with high pressure hose reels.

Dunbar watch manager, Kevin Blair, said that flames in the kiln had set fire to a build-up of tar in the flue.

“We were concerned about the ceiling area going up because the flue passes through it,” said Mr Blair. “It would have been warmed by the heat of the flames but we found there was no danger of that, following an inspection.”

Of the three kilns in operation at the smokehouse only one caught fire and suffered minor damage.

Mr Blair said: “This is a process that will keep happening as it is natural that the kiln will collect tar from the oak chips that fuel it. Employees will have to check all the kilns from time to time to ensure the build up is not too great.”

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