The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is warning both householders and businesses to ensure their chimneys are swept and flues inspected, following two pub fires in the last 24 hours.

At 7.15pm last night Crymych fire crew was called to a chimney fire at the Penybont Inn in Hebron. Firefighters used chimney rods, small gear and a thermal imaging camera to deal with the blaze, which was caused by a faulty flue.

This morning a chimney fire took hold in another commercial property, the Five Arches Tavern and Restaurant in Tenby.

Tenby fire fighters were called to the incident at 11.45 and extinguished the fire using a stirrup pump and chimney rods.

Chimney fires often start due to poor maintenance, with a build up of soot and tar going unnoticed," said a spokesman for the fire service.

"You can greatly reduce the risk of fire by ensuring that chimneys are swept on a regular basis.

"Do not attempt to clean your chimney with a domestic vacuum cleaner, leave it to a qualified chimney sweep.

"We urge all residents to have their flues inspected regularly to prevent fire breaking out of the chimney, in a living space or in to the loft.

"We would also like people to remember to store solid fuel such as wood or coal well away from their chimney system. This fuel can heat and ignite if left too close to a solid fuel burning stove, causing a potentially serious fire."

For more information on general home fire safety or to book a free home fire check visit www.mawwfire.gov.uk.