The Mattapoisett Fire Department responded to a call for a chimney fire on Mattapoisett Neck Road Monday night just after 8:30 p.m.

John Flanagan and his son J.R., who has lived in the home for 13 years, were in the house when the fire broke out.

“We had a fire in the fireplace this evening, and we happened to notice something was terribly wrong,” said John.

“There wasn’t much of a fire but we just happened to see smoke going out behind the sheet rock.”

Fire Chief Andrew Murray said mortar in the chimney had broken down, which let the fire into the wall behind the chimney.

With little insulation in the wall, Murray said the fire spread to the ceiling and attic. Firefighters were able to extinguish it in 15 minutes.

“I will credit that to a very aggressive crew that made entry, and the new thermal imaging camera that we purchased,” said Murray.

The camera registered 350 degrees behind the wall and was used to track the progress of the fire, said Murray.

No one was injured in the fire, though one room was burned out. Murray said the chimney had not been used for some years, and could serve as a warning to others as the they light a fire.

“I recommend every year get chimneys cleaned,” said Murray. “Get it inspected at least once a year.”

Out of heating oil with snow in the forecast, John said he and his son lit the chimney out of necessity.

“We took precautions just to have a small fire in the fireplace,” he said.

John said the oil company he and his son called would not deliver anything less than $500 worth of fuel, which was more than they could afford.

The pair hoped to keep warm with the fireplace. Due to the fire, they will have to find other accommodations.

One bright spot in the incident is J.R.’s cat, Maximus, who was in the house during the fire. Firefighters found him safe but shaken by the ordeal.

Mattapoisett Police and EMS responded to the scene, and Marion Fire Department helped to man the Mattapoisett Fire Station during the three-hour ordeal.

Fairhaven Fire Department was also on the scene.