Updated with information from Fire District 1.

A chimney fire caused more than $30,000 damage and displaced a couple from their Edmonds duplex tonight.

The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. at a duplex in the 21100 block of Shell Valley Road. A woman was home at the time of the fire and got out safely. Smoke was coming from the eaves on all side of the three-story duplex when the first fire engine arrived, said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency services in Edmonds.

Firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Shoreline responded and had the fire under control within 15 minutes. No one was injured.

“Most of the fire was in the chimney chase. Firefighters cut into the walls on the second and third floor to get to the fire and cut a hole in the roof for ventilation,” Hynes said.

The other unit in the duplex was not damaged.

The fire investigator determined the fire was accidental and started inside the chimney. The residents had been using the fireplace to heat the duplex.

Damage left the unit uninhabitable. The residents were renters and did not have insurance. Support 7 responded to assist the residents.

The fire was located deep in the Shell Park II housing development, at the east end of Yost Park.

Fire District 1 offers these tips to prevent chimney fires:
· Have a qualified professional install stoves, chimney connectors, and chimneys.
· Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and wood stoves. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep every fall just before heating season.
· Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a covered metal container. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from the home and other buildings.
· Keep a close eye on children whenever a fireplace or wood or pellet stove is being used. Remind them to stay at least 3 feet away from the stove.
· Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the fireplace or wood stove.
· Install and maintain and carbon monoxide alarms (CO) outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
· Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.