Smell from fire

Could the smell be due to a dead bird/animal in the flue? As the fire warms it up, it starts to whiff. Normally any smell would go up the chimney, but it may be your downdraught blows the smell into the room.

Pete

There shouldn't be a draught coming down the chimney, normally the warm air the the house wafts up and away via the chimney. Your 'chimney' sounds like its in a bad place - it should clear the top of the roof, or wind and pressure effects can blow air back down the chimney. Does this fire have a fan to blow the fumes up the flue, and if so is it working?

I wouldn't keep using the fire if you're getting a smell. You eed to ascertain the flue is clear if possible.

Andy.

Looking at the top of the chimney, it's only a vent in design, rather than being open topped and I doubt anything could get down there. Saying that though, my Dad found a dead sparrow under the bath once, and we cound't find any way for it to have got under there!

Thanks for your reply.

Top posting removed.

Try a smoke "bomb" (if they still make them.) Try one in each flue if you have mre than one. Don't expect the flue pipe to have been installed correctly but I don't have a clue how to check that it has been apart from tugging on a bit and see if it comes out easily.