24 March 2009

A carelessly discarded cigarette caused fire damage to a shopfront in Milton Keynes this morning.

Crews from Great Holm, Broughton and Newport Pagnell were called to Jenningsbet, at the Food Centre, Midsummer Boulevard, at 10.56am.

The fire spread from a smouldering cigarette wedged between a paving slab and the front of the shop to insulation material. The shop had to be evacuated because there was so much smoke.

Firefighters removed a number of paving slabs and cut away some of the insulation material. They were on the scene for about half an hour and returned in the afternoon to carry out a reinspection.

Terry Ridgley, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety manager, said: “This seems an appropriate time to remind smokers of the importance of discarding cigarette ends thoughtfully and safely.

“You can dispose of any smoking-related litter in any litter bin as long as you are absolutely sure it is out, and in Central Milton Keynes and many other towns there are bins specially adapted for cigarette litter.”