Dislodged chimney flue blamed for small Newport apartment fire

Firefighters tore open a wall to douse a small fire at a Newport Beach apartment building Tuesday night, authorities said.
Light smoke was coming from the second floor of the complex in the 1800 block of 16th Street as crews arrived about 9:10 p.m., according to Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella.
When firefighters opened a wall next to a chimney, “they discovered that the cause of the fire appeared to be a dislodged chimney flue,” Manzella said.
Four apartments sustained some damage from the fire, smoke or water that firefighters used to douse the blaze, Manzella said.
Officials estimated the cost of that damage at less than $30,000.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury, according to the fire department.
He was treated at a local hospital before returning to work, Manzella said.