Smoke alarms save occupants of Poole home

A recent house fire in Poole has prompted Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to remind people about the importance of working smoke alarms.

Firefighters were called to a property at 10.10pm on 6 September, with four fire appliances attending: one each from Westbourne and Hamworthy and two from Poole, together with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne.

On arrival, firefighters found a fire on the first floor of the domestic property. Six firefighters in breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets and one safety jet to extinguish the fire.

Station Manager Daniel Perrett said: “The property did have working smoke alarms which alerted the occupants. 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.

“The occupants 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 provides free Safe and Well visits, where a member of staff provides bespoke home safety advice, covering areas such as the use of candles, cooking, electric blankets, overloading sockets, chimneys and much more. They can even fit or replace smoke alarms.

For more advice on fire safety in the home, or to request a Safe and Well visit, visit https://www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits.