FIREFIGHTERS have been praised for their efforts in dealing with a chimney fire in Dalton.

The full-time crew from Barrow, along with on-call crews from Walney and Barrow, were called to Ashworth Street on Thursday night.

A passer-by had called 999 after seeing flames coming from a property, and reported the incident as a garage fire, but when firefighters attended they discovered the fire was actually within the chimney of a house.

Fire boss Roger Exley said it was great to see the new Barrow on-call crew working together with two established crews.

"It was good to see them all together, from my perspective, because from next week the new Barrow on-call crew will become a normal crew so it's a big step for them."

As well as the three crews the station's Aerial Ladder Platform was tasked to Thursday's job.

"The occupants of the house were aware of the fire and had extinguished it in the grate but it was still flaming off in the top of the chimney," Mr Exley added.

"This happens a lot, especially with wood-burners, so it's a reminder to get your chimney swept regularly; once a year, as you can get a build-up within the chimney.

"Not only can chimney fires but your home at risk but also neighbouring properties as it can spread to next door."

Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Steve Healey also praised the firefighters.

"It's never easy establishing a new on-call team from scratch," he said on Twitter.

"It takes time, effort and dedication to develop the skills to become an effective crew."