Issued: 13 August 2007

At: 4pm

For immediate release

UNATTENDED DIVA LEADS TO HOUSE FIRE

Shortly after 10:30am today, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received a call to a house fire on Leicester Street off the East Park Road area of the city.

Initial reports suggested people were possibly trapped inside the house. Crews from Eastern and Central Fire and Rescue Stations attended to find all the occupants had managed to escape. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then entered the property to successfully extinguish the fire.

One female casualty was treated at the scene by firefighters and paramedics for
smoke inhalation and shock.

The fire started after a Diva (a candle lit for religious significance) was left unattended in a religious shrine in a prayer room. Garlands surrounding the shrine caught fire and the blaze then spread to the rest of the prayer room. A smoke alarm that had been fitted in the property had been disconnected.

The room involved was severely damaged by the fire and the rest of the house
sustained moderate smoke damage.

Steve Smith, Eastern Station Manager commented: -

‘It is very worrying that the smoke alarm in this property had been disconnected. This family were very lucky to escape with their lives; if this incident had occurred at night, we could now be dealing with a far worse situation involving sever injury or sadly even death.

It is impossible to over state how important it is to fit and maintain a working
smoke alarm. They cost as little as five pounds and really do save lives.
Never ever remove the batteries and have a spare battery ready at home to
replace the old one as soon as it starts beeping.'

I would also urge people to be cautious in their use of Divas and to follow the
following basic fire safety advice: -

9 Treat the Diva as you would any other flame. Use only enough ghee to last
your Puja. If you do need to leave the Diva or candle unattended, make sure
that it rests securely on a surface which will not melt or burn.

9 At all times, keep the flame at a safe distance from curtains, furniture and
decorations. Long hair and clothing (especially saris, chunris/chunis and
dupattas) are also very flammable.

9 Keep the flame out of reach of children and animals. Children should be
supervised at all times near flames.

Fire crews fitted smoke alarms to this property before leaving and have also spent further time in the area visiting other homes offering free home fire safety advice and fitting free smoke alarms. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service offer free home safety checks, if you are interested in finding out more please contact 0116 287 2241.

- ENDS -

Notes to News Desk

To speak to a Firefighter/Officer that attended please use the contact details below.

Please find attached an image of the burnt shrine.

Contact Information

For more information please contact

Amanda Kelly-Pike

Marketing and Publicity Co-ordinator
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 229 2179



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