Batavia man uninjured in chimney blaze

A Batavia man tried to put out a chimney fire on his roof Friday, until a city electric crew driving by noticed and called 911.

The chimney fire on the 300 block of Walnut Street began around 2:15 p.m., and fire crews who responded shortly thereafter were able to bring the fire under control in about 10 minutes.

Batavia Fire Department officials say the resident’s fireplace had been burning all day, and the wooden box chase the fireplace sits in had deteriorated over time and ignited. The fire also extended to the house’s exterior wall, where it was able to be contained, authorities said.

Two city electric employees used their ladder to get the man off the roof. No injuries were reported.

Damages were estimated to be $7,000.