SOUTH HAVEN | A Tuesday morning chimney fire displaced a couple and their three dogs from their South Haven home.
Porter County authorities said the fire was reported about 4 a.m. at Jan and Merilou Yoder's home on Plymouth Road. Police and firefighters arrived to find the chimney engulfed in flames and flames coming from the upstairs bedroom.
Merilou Yoder told police she heard a puff sound coming from the wood burning stove and then saw flames inside the chimney. She closed the flue in hopes of extinguishing the fire, but the fire continued to spread throughout the chimney and roof area. She told police the chimney was cleaned about a year ago.
South Haven fire officials told police the fire originated in the wood burning stove. Firefighters advise people to clean their chimneys regularly and consider purchasing a chimney fire extinguisher, which looks like a road flare.
Police reports state the American Red Cross made arrangements for the Yoders and their pets to stay at a local motel.
