Avon Fire & Rescue Service has issued a warning to smokers
to take particular care following two house fires thought to have
been started by cigarettes.
Wednesday 26 December 2007
21.47 – Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol
Crews were called to a blaze in a ground floor flat of a
three storey terrace house. On arrival firefighters found a fire
well alight in a bedroom. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used
one hose reel and a jet to extinguish the blaze which caused
serious damage to the bedroom and smoke damage to the rest of the
property.
The fire is thought to have been started by an unattended
cigarette. The female occupant of the property, thought to be aged
in her 40s, was treated at the scene by paramedics for the effects
of smoke inhalation. She was later taken to hospital by
ambulance.
Wednesday 26 December 2007
23.51 – Selkirk Road, Cossham, Bristol
Two children and one adult escaped unhurt after a fire broke out
in the kitchen of a private house. Two firefighters wearing
breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze which
is thought to have been started by a cigarette.
More people die in fires caused by cigarettes then in fires with
any other single cause. Avon Fire & Rescue Service is urging
smokers to take the following basic steps to ensure they stay
safe:
- Take extra
care if you smoke when you are drowsy, have been taking
prescription drugs or have been drinking;
- Never smoke in
bed;
- Don’t leave
lit cigarettes lying around and always use an ashtray with a
heavy base; and
- And when you
have finished smoking make sure your cigarette is properly
extinguished.
If you do smoke you should also ensure you have a working smoke
alarm in your home.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service fits smoke alarms free of charge
during Home Fire Safety Visits. To make an appointment call
freephone 0800 1693 999.