Elderly woman escapes house fire thanks to smoke alarms
Firefighters are stressing the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after an elderly woman escaped from a fire at her home last week.
The fire is thought to have started when a spark from a log burner set a wicker basket alight.
Fire crews from Deeside, Mold and Ruthin were called to a fire near Llanarmon yn Ial in North Wales at around 12.15pm on Friday 9th March.
Andy Robb from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were able to advise the occupier to make her way safely out of the property and she received treatment for mild smoke inhalation at the scene. The fire started in a wicker basket positioned near a log burner. A spark had ignited paper and logs in the basket. We would strongly advise against placing wicker items near a heat source – although they look decorative they can easily overheat or catch a spark and ignite. The combination of a working smoke alarm and a link to outside assistance undoubtedly saved this lady’s life and enabled us to arrive in time to prevent substantial damage to the property. The smoke alarms at the property had been fitted by staff from our fire and rescue service during a previous home safety check.”
House destroyed in Worcester fire
Fire crews attended a fire at a house in Ramsons Close, Malvern Link on 23rd February after a neighbour noticed smoke and raised the alarm.
The call was received at around 2pm and the incident was attended by two fire engines from Malvern fire and extra support from crews from Worcester.
The upstairs of the property suffered major damage and the roof was completely destroyed. The property also suffered extensive smoke damage.
Station Commander Phil Major praised said: “Thankfully the woman and child escaped from their house uninjured, but the fire had taken hold and the roof of the property is now unsafe. There were wired smoke alarms in the property and we cannot stress enough the importance of having working smoke alarms on every level of your home.”
There were no injuries reported in the incident. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.
Half of UK fire deaths happened in buildings fitted with fire alarms
A recent report has shown that around 80% of buildings in the UK are fitted with smoke alarms.
Despite this fact, almost half of fire deaths in buildings last year happened in a building that had working smoke alarms. It is a known fact that many people disable their alarms if they go off frequently and then forget to replace the batteries.
Most fires in the home start in the kitchen and many have some involvement with alcohol. Rob Davies, from West Midlands fire and rescue service, said: “About 60% of house fires are caused by fires in the kitchen. But when you come onto fatalities and fire deaths, it’s slightly different. In fact, with 40% of fire fatalities there has been some involvement with alcohol.”
Sheila Merrill from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said that often, people who lost their lives in a fire in their home had not heard the fire alarms due to being in a deep sleep because of alcohol or medication. |Another contributing factor to these deaths is that although fire alarms are fitted, escape exits have not been planned. Ms Merrill said: “In some instances, they could have heard the alarm but their exit out of the house is actually blocked by the fire, so they’re still unable to get out. And what we have to remember is that nine times out of 10, it’s not the fire that kills you, it’s the smoke.”
The Governments chief fire and rescue adviser said: “Simple checks such as closing doors every night and avoiding overloaded plugs will help reduce the risk in the home. If the worst should happen, everyone should make sure they are prepared and have an established and practiced escape route in place,” he said.
It is important to ensure that your smoke alarms are working and The Fire Training Academy encourage you to get into the habit of testing your alarms every Tuesday. Join us on Facebook and Twitter to get your weekly ‘Test it Tuesday’ reminders.
Kitchen fire started by chip pan
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house in Adam Street in Kidderminster last Friday evening following a kitchen fire.
Engines from Kidderminster and Stourport attended the blaze. Crews used a covering jet and positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear smoke from the house and managed to extinguish the fire within an hour.
Neil Bennett, from the fire service said: “This fire involved a chip pan which had been left unattended and the occupants of the house were only alerted by the smell of smoke once the fire had taken hold. While they were able to escape from the house, unharmed, there was considerable damage to the kitchen as a result of the fire, and extensive smoke logging throughout the rest of the house as doors had been left open.”
He warned anyone cooking with hot fat to be vigilant and never to leave their cooking unattended.
Before leaving the property, firefighters installed smoke alarms and also visited neighbouring addresses to check that they have working smoke alarms in their homes.
Fire Training Academy recommends that smoke alarms are fitted on all floors of your home and that you get into the habit of testing them regularly. Look out for out ‘Test it Tuesday’ reminders on Twitter and Facebook.
Mother of young boy dies in house fire
A women has died in a house fire in Buckley in North Wales.
The body of Kirsty Weaver, 31, was discovered by firefighters on Saturday morning. Her young son was rescued and treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.
It is thought that the fire started around the TV area in the living room and was probably caused by a candle that had been left unattended.
A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Police attended and officers noticed the windows of the property were black and hot and called the fire and rescue service. Fire crews from Buckley and Mold attended and discovered the body of a women. Three teams of firefighters using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets tackled the fire. A two year old boy was rescued from the building. He was transferred to hospital where he received treatment for smoke inhalation and is now in a stable condition.”
Investigations have shown that there were no working smoke alarms in the property. Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Fire Officer said: “It has emerged that there was no working smoke alarm at this property and I would therefore urge everyone to ensure they fit smoke alarms in their homes – they really can mean the difference between life and death.”