Issued:      06.08.07

At:                       11:15am

For immediate release

 

FOLLOWING SECOND KITCHEN FIRE
FIREFIGHTERS RECOMMEND REGULAR SMOKE ALARM CHECKS

At 14:55 yesterday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received a call to a flat fire, off Hall Lane in Coalville.

Crews from Coalville and Shepshed Fire and Rescue Stations arrived to find smoke issuing from the kitchen area of the property.

The fire was out on arrival thanks to a neighbour who alerted the occupant to the fire by banging on the front door. Firefighters entered the flat wearing breathing apparatus to ventilate the property.

The cause of the fire was an unattended chip pan. The kitchen was damaged by fire and smoke. Smoke alarms were fitted in the property, however, the battery was dead. Following the kitchen fire in Melton Mowbray last Friday, this is the second incident, in the past week, where smoke alarms have not been maintained properly.

Steve Young, Watch Manger at Shepshed Fire and Rescue Station, said:

‘Fortunately the occupant of this property was able to get out unharmed, but not everyone is so lucky!

Make sure that you check your alarms are working correctly on a regular basis and never remove the batteries from a working alarm.

Smoke alarms are cheap and easy to get hold of and when used properly, they are real lifesavers! There’s no excuse for not having one.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage people to replace their old style chip pans and either oven cook or microwave their chips instead. Please don’t leave pans unattended whilst cooking.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service can fit smoke detectors at the same time as a Home Fire Safety Check, we are particularly trying to target vulnerable groups within the community.

If you would like to find out more about Home Fire Safety Checks then please call 0116 287 2241 to ask for a visit’.

Crews fitted new smoke alarms to the property and the occupant was given fire safety advice by firefighters. Today crews completed a fire safety leaflet drop in the surrounding areas.

- ENDS -

Notes to News Desk

Contact Information

For more information please contact

Marketing and Publicity Department
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 287 2241

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