A home in Burra was engulfed in flames when residual soot inside a chimney caught fire causing an estimated $200,000 of damage to the property on Saturday night.
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Queanbeyan police acting Inspector Graeme Bailey said the fire started at around 10pm at the Candy Road property when owners began to prepare the fireplace before going to sleep.
But shortly after lighting the fire, residual soot caught alight and eventually spread to the ceiling of the property.
The owners contacted emergency services and firefighters arrived to find the home well alight.
Acting Inspector Bailey said the fireplace had been cleaned at the beginning of winter and owners were shocked and surprised at how quickly the fire spread through the home.
"The home was extensively damaged by fire and water with the ceilings in the lounge room, the kitchen, and the hallways collapsing," he said.
"The fire was not considered suspicious and the most extensive damage was found near the fireplace," he said.
Acting Inspector Bailey said the fire was a reminder that fireplaces needed to be regularly checked and cleaned to ensure safety.
