Date: 28th February, 2023
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding the public about the importance of working smoke alarms following a recent house fire in Bournemouth.
Firefighters were called to the property on Ensbury Park Road, Bournemouth at 7:04am on 25 February, with three fire crews attending; one from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park.
On arrival firefighters 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.
The male occupant of the property, who was asleep at the time, was woken up by the smoke alarms sounding. On further investigation, he found a fire within the kitchen, dialled 999 and left the property to wait for help.
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 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 in high risk homes.
For more advice on fire safety on the home, or to request a Safe and Well visit, visit https://www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits/