Safely extinguishing an indoor fireplace fire is necessary to prevent house fires and mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Allowing a fire to burn down naturally can take many hours, requiring constant, impractical supervision. Learning the correct method for smothering the remaining heat source ensures the fireplace is safe before you leave it unattended. This process involves specific tools and techniques designed to cool the embers quickly and completely.
Preparation and Essential Safety Checks
Before beginning the extinguishing process, ensure the fireplace is properly set up for safety. The chimney damper should be fully open to allow smoke and fumes to escape the house and prevent dangerous backdrafts. Even dying embers produce carbon monoxide, so proper ventilation is necessary to vent fumes outside.
Gathering the correct equipment beforehand makes the process efficient and safe. You will need a metal shovel and a poker, along with a non-flammable extinguishing agent like sand or baking soda. A dedicated metal container with a tight-fitting lid is also required for ash disposal. Wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the residual heat radiating from the firebox.
The Step-by-Step Extinguishing Process
Stop adding new fuel at least an hour before you plan to extinguish the fire. Once the flames have died down and only glowing embers remain, use the fireplace poker to spread the logs and coals across the firebox floor. Spreading the material into a thin, flat layer breaks up the concentrated heat source and exposes more surface area to cooler air, accelerating the cooling process.
After the embers are spread out, smother them using a non-flammable agent. Gently sprinkle a layer of sand or baking soda over the glowing material to deprive it of oxygen. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is effective because it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which helps suffocate the fire.
Avoid using water to extinguish a fireplace fire except in a true emergency. Pouring cold water onto hot masonry can cause a rapid temperature change, potentially leading to cracking in the firebox or flue liner. Water also instantly creates a large cloud of steam and smoke, which can cause burns and push harmful fumes back into the room. The force of the water can also scatter hot embers onto the hearth or surrounding floor, creating a new fire hazard.
Once the embers are covered, monitor the fireplace for several minutes to ensure no glow or smoke reappears. Use the poker or shovel to carefully check the material, confirming that all visible combustion has ceased. The fire is only considered completely out when the embers are cool to the touch, which can take time even after the glow is gone.
Safe Ash Disposal and Final Checks
Even after the fire is extinguished, ashes and hidden coals can retain heat. Ash acts as an insulator, allowing hot coals to remain live for up to four days. Ashes should only be removed from the fireplace once they are completely cool, which often means waiting at least 24 hours.
When removing the ashes, place them into a tightly sealed, non-combustible metal container with a lid. Never use a plastic bag, cardboard box, or any other flammable container, as this is a common cause of house fires. The metal container must then be stored outdoors on a non-combustible surface like concrete or dirt, kept away from the house, garage, or any flammable materials.
Keep the sealed metal container outside for at least 72 hours to ensure any hidden embers are fully extinguished before final disposal. The chimney damper should remain fully open until the fireplace is completely cool to the touch. Once cool, the damper can be closed to prevent heat loss from the home.