Issued: 14.08.07

At: 4pm

For immediate release

PASSERS-BY CALL 999 FOLLOWING HOUSE FIRE WITH BATTERIES REMOVED FROM SMOKE ALARMS

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service today received a call at 1:30pm to reports of a house on fire and people possibly trapped inside on Fullhurst Avenue in the Braunstone area of Leicester.

Firefighters from Western and Southern Fire and Rescue stations attended the incident to find the roof space of the property on fire. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the fire.

The fire started after material surrounding the boiler caught fire. The alarm was raised by passers-by after they noticed smoke issuing from the roof of the property. The house had smoke alarms fitted but the batteries had been removed. The family inside the property were eventually alerted to the fire after smelling smoke and were able to escape unharmed.

Stewart Payne, Watch Manager from Southern Fire and Rescue Station, who attended the incident, commented: -

‘I am deeply concerned that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has
attended yet another house fire where the people living in the home had
removed the batteries from their smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms save lives and should be fitted and looked after properly. If
this incident had happened at night, when people were sleeping, it is very
likely that we would be dealing with a much more serious incident and people
could have died.

I realise that it is annoying when your smoke alarm battery starts to beep as it
is running out but act on it immediately and replace it. It is far less
inconvenient to replace a battery than it is to deal with the after effects of a
house fire such as smoke and heat damage not to mention injury and the
possible loss of life.

This property has now been fitted with a working smoke alarm on each floor
and we are now working in the immediate area to offer free home fire safety
advice and free smoke alarms. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are
particularly keen to target those considered to be at more risk from fire such
as smokers and those living alone. If you would like to be considered for a
free home fire safety check, then please call us on 0116 287 2241.'

The roof space was moderately damaged by the fire and the 3 adjoining properties were damaged by the smoke from the fire.

- ENDS -

Notes to News Desk

Contact Information

For more information please contact

Amanda Kelly-Pike

Marketing and Publicity Co-ordinator
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 287 2241



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