This follows a house fire in Ensbury Park Road in Bournemouth on 25 February where the occupant, who was asleep at the time, was woken by the smoke alarm sounding. On further investigation, he found a fire within the kitchen, dialled 999 and left the property to wait for help.

Three fire crews attended; one from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park. Firefighters who were called to the property at 7.04am.

They found a well-developed fire in the kitchen. Four firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets and one main line to extinguish the fire.

Station manager Steve Ansell said: “The property did have working smoke alarms which alerted the occupier. Had that not been the case, the outcome could have been far worse. Every home should have a working smoke alarm on every level, and these should be tested regularly.”

He added: “The occupant did the right thing by getting out and staying out. If you have a fire, do not attempt to extinguish it unless it is safe to do so. Leave the property, closing all the doors behind you, and do not go back into the property until you are told it is safe to do so by the firefighters who attend.”

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service provide bespoke home safety advice, covering areas such as the use of candles, cooking, electric blankets, overloading sockets, chimneys and much more. For a free Safe and Well visit go to https://www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits/ They can even fit or replace smoke alarms in high-risk homes.