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uk Home & property emergencies fireplace backdraft smoke • stove smoke coming into room • chimney downdraft • flue not drawing • wood burner smoking indoors • open fire smoke inside • smoke smell in living room • soot or smoke in house • carbon monoxide worry • co alarm and fireplace • blocked chimney or flue • chimney bird nest blockage • extractor fan causing backdraft • negative air pressure home • damper closed mistake • smoke after lighting fire • backpuffing wood stove • unsure why fireplace smokes

What to do if…
your fireplace or stove backdrafts smoke into the room and you’re unsure why

Short answer

Stop using the fireplace/stove right now, ventilate briefly as you leave, and get everyone into fresh air — treat it as a potential carbon monoxide situation until it’s been checked.

Do not do these things

  • Do not keep the fire burning “to clear it” or try repeated re-lights.
  • Do not seal up the room to “stop the smell” (closing vents/windows can worsen risk).
  • Do not ignore a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, or symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, chest pain, or fainting.
  • Do not climb onto the roof or poke around inside the flue/chimney while it’s smoky/hot.
  • Do not run extractor fans (kitchen/bathroom) or a tumble dryer to “pull smoke out” — this can worsen backdrafting.
  • Do not use the fireplace/stove again until the cause is found and fixed.

What to do now

  1. Make the appliance safe. Stop feeding the fire. Close the stove door. If it’s a gas fire and you can do so safely, turn it off (and avoid using electrical switches if you also smell gas).
  2. Get fresh air into the room as you leave. Open doors/windows to vent smoke, then move everyone (and pets) outside or to a well-ventilated area.
  3. Treat symptoms as urgent. If anyone has severe symptoms (collapse/fainting, chest pain, confusion, severe breathlessness) call 999. If symptoms are milder but you suspect CO exposure, seek medical advice (NHS 111) and tell them you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
  4. Call the gas/CO emergency service if CO is suspected (especially with gas appliances). From outside (or a neighbour’s phone), call National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999 and follow their instructions. Don’t re-enter if advised not to.
  5. If a CO alarm has sounded, don’t dismiss it. Stay in fresh air and do not use any fuel-burning appliance again until it has been checked.
  6. Remove common “backdraft drivers” only after you’re safe. Turn off extractor fans and avoid running the tumble dryer. Do not restart the fire to “test” whether it’s fixed.
  7. Arrange the right professional check before you use it again.
    • Gas fire: book a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect the appliance and venting.
    • Solid fuel/wood burner/open fire: book a competent solid-fuel/chimney professional to check for blockage (soot, debris, bird nest), flue damage/leaks, poor ventilation, or installation faults.
  8. If you think there’s an active fire risk, call 999. Examples: roaring/sparking from the chimney, flames where they shouldn’t be, or rapid worsening smoke/heat.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose the cause right now (cold flue, blockage, wind downdraught, ventilation/pressure issues are all possible).
  • You do not need to deep-clean soot today; focus on safety, ventilation, and inspection first.
  • You do not need to decide about repairs, replacement appliances, or insurance until after a professional assessment.

Important reassurance

Backdrafting can happen even in a fireplace or stove that’s “normally fine.” Stopping use and getting fresh air is the safest response — you’re not overreacting.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next minutes to hours. Root-cause diagnosis (flue integrity, ventilation, chimney condition, pressure effects, appliance servicing) needs an on-site professional.

Important note

This is general safety information, not a substitute for professional inspection or emergency services advice. If a CO alarm sounds, anyone feels unwell, or you suspect a gas/CO issue, get into fresh air and seek urgent help as appropriate. Do not use the appliance again until it’s been checked.

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