Issued: 28.08.07

At: 11:30am
For immediate release

HOUSE FIRE - MILL STREET BARWELL

At approximately 2:35am this morning, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
received a call to a house fire on Mill Street in Barwell.

Crews from Hinckley Fire and Rescue Station attended to find the fire in the kitchen
area of the property. Four people had managed to get out of the house prior to
arrival. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish
the fire.

The cause of the fire was believed to have been an electrical fault with the
dishwasher which, as a result, was severely damaged. Some of the occupants were
given oxygen therapy at the scene.

Jim Walker, Community Safety Support Manager, said:

‘The occupants of this property were alerted to the fire by their working smoke
alarm which enabled them to escape with their lives. Also because the doors
inside the property were closed the fire was prevented from spreading to the
rest of the house.

If people follow some basic fire safety advice, they can increase their chances
of being able to escape a fire safely: -

Develop an escape plan that all people living in their home are aware of


Always close internal doors before going to bed, this will help to contain a
fire and will decrease the chances of a way out of the house being
blocked.

Remember to always switch off electrical appliances when they are not in
use

Think of a route out of your property and any obstructions that might get in
the way. Choose a second escape route as well, in case your first choice
is blocked by the fire.

Think of a place you can use as a refuge if you can’t get out of the
property, preferably a room with a window

Make sure everyone knows where you keep the keys to the external
doors

Home fire safety checks can identify potential risks in the home. We are
particularly interested in targeting the following groups:

• The elderly
• People with an ethnic minority background
• Families with young children
• People living alone
For a free check or for further information please call 0116 287 2241.

- ENDS -

Notes to News Desk

Home safety checks involve crews visiting people at home and offering advice on all aspects
on fire safety in the home from electrical safety, the safe disposal of smoking materials,
through to the fitting and maintenance of smoke alarms and the developing of a plan to get
out in the event of a fire.

Contact Information

For more information please contact

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

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