Date: 6th April, 2023
Time: 6.21pm
Description: Bournemouth - crews from Springbourne, Westbourne and Christchurch were mobilised to a fire in a flat on Aylesbury Road after reports were received that the occupier was still inside. Thankfully, the occupier was outside when firefighters arrived and the fire was out. The fire had started when a pet cat jumped up in the kitchen, turning on the hob, which had plastic boxes on top. Fortunately, the flat had working smoke alarms - and these, in turn, alerted a neighbour to investigate and call 999. A great example of safety measures working in practice, but a good opportunity to remind people not to keep anything on top of the hob in case it is ever accidentally switched on. It is thought that about 1000 fires a year in the home across the UK are caused by pets!
Location: Aylesbury Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, UK