A fire at the Adelaide suburb of Happy Valley sparked within a chimney has caused about $250,000 in damage across two properties, prompting a reminder about outdoor heater safety. 

Sixteen firefighters responded to calls just after 8.30pm, utilising angle grinders to gain access to the rear of the properties on Tripoli Road where the fire had broken out in a carport.

The fire, which started in a chimney in the corner of a rear pergola, quickly escalated. 

“Embers … were flying over our fence, so I was out the back just watching making sure our property was going to be okay,” said neighbour Raymond.

Shiralee Lindner, a resident of one of the affected properties, was not home at the time. 

“She just rang me when she was coming, like ‘oh my god, my house is on fire,” said her niece, Libby. 

Shiralee expressed gratitude to neighbours who alerted her son, saying, “they raced over to our house and knocked on the door so my son quickly grabbed the dog and raced out”.

Firefighters removed several animals from the homes, including a snake and birds, and a young infant was assessed by paramedics. Two cars were destroyed in the blaze.

The Metropolitan Fire Service said the blaze is a reminder to ensure there’s adequate ventilation when using outdoor heaters and to clean them once a year to prevent the build-up of flammable materials.