Fire Hazards in the Farmhouse
The State Insurance Commissioner warns that cheap, non-standard chimneys and stove pipes are costing farmers their homes and their safety.
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State Insurance Commissioner H. O. Fishback has issued an open letter to country home owners regarding fire hazards and increased insurance rates tied to stove pipes and terracotta flues. Most fire insurance companies currently charge an additional 75 cents per $100 of insured value for metal stove pipes and 15 cents for terracotta flues, noting these costs double on three-year policies. Commissioner Fishback argues that building a proper brick chimney from the ground up is an act of strict economy. He warns against chimneys resting on brackets, which are prone to settling and cracking, and emphasizes the importance of proper ventilation and keeping roofs free of moss to prevent catastrophic fires.
“Few people seem to realize that additional premium charged because of these deficiencies in chimney conditions would amount in a very short time to more than the entire cost of a properly constructed brick chimney.”
Fire safety remains a major concern in rural Washington today, though the focus has shifted from stove pipes to wildfire defensible space. The commissioner's warning about the true cost of 'cheap' construction remains a relevant lesson for modern property owners looking to mitigate insurance premiums.
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