FIRE fighters were called to two chimney fires in the Cotswolds this afternoon.

Crews spent an hour at Barnsley House Hotel in Barnsley after a report came in of a fire caused by debris falling from a chimney fire into surrounding furniture in the premises.

The call came in at 2.20pm and 11 crew members attended the small blaze.

They used chimney rods and a stirrup pump to extinguish the fire. There was no damage to the surrounding property.

Engines were also called to a property in Roberts Close in Stratton, Cirencester, at 4.12pm.

A call came in from an anxious homeowner who believed the chimney was on fire. One engine from Cirencester attended the scene along with five fire fighters. The flames were extinguished within 45 minutes. Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service attends around 300 chimney fires every year. These numbers are rising as solid fuel heating increases in popularity. For safety advice visit http://www.glosfire.gov.uk.