Black Dirt from my Dormant Fireplace

On New Year’s Eve instead of partying I was cleaning up soot and dirt that was pouring out of my dormant, bedroom fireplace. Can anyone tell me what this is and what I can do to stop this. I’m cleaning and dusting daily. In the evenings when I come home there is soot and dirt all over my furniture, t.v., phone and bed. It seems that everything my kids touch has this awful soot on it which they are transfering to my walls. I’ve gone through 3 magic erasers getting that stuff off my walls. Help!!!

By faithful |