Date: 6th January, 2021
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take care if they smoke at home, and to make sure they have working smoke alarms.
Firefighters were called to a property in Wollaston Road, Dorchester at 4.07pm on 5 January 2021, with three fire crews attending; one from Dorchester, one from Weymouth and one from Bridport. Four breathing apparatus wearers used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
After a quick search of the property, crews discovered and rescued a female occupant. She was given first aid by crews and handed over to South Western Ambulance Service paramedics to be treated for severe smoke inhalation and burns. The casualty was then flown to Salisbury District Hospital. The alarm was raised by a member of the public who saw smoke coming from the property and called 999.
Station Manager James Plumley said: “An investigation determined the most likely cause of the fire was from smoking materials. The best way of protecting yourself and others in your home from this risk is to give up smoking altogether; failing that, only ever smoke outside. Take extra care if you smoke when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking. You might fall asleep and set your bed, seating or clothing on fire.”
He added “We would like to remind the public of the importance of having correctly fitted working smoke alarms in your home and these should be tested regularly. Smoke alarms save lives.”
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, low energy light bulbs 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 www.dwfire.org.uk/safety-at-home