31 December 2009

A working smoke alarm helped prevent a fire in a home in High Wycombe from turning into something more serious yesterday afternoon.

Two crews from High Wycombe were called to the two-storey house in Lane End Road at 3.14pm after a smoke alarm in the property alerted the occupant to the fire in a first-floor bedroom.

Firefighters used two hose reels and four sets of breathing apparatus to tackle the fire and were able to prevent it from spreading. The rest of the house was heavily smoke-logged.

Watch Manager Andy Jones said: “The occupant was alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm, and she was able to get out safely with her dog and call the fire service.”

"A few minutes can make all the difference. There is little doubt that the working smoke alarm prevented this from turning into a far more serious incident."

Terry Ridgley, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's Community Safety team, said: "Nationally, 80 per cent of the population own smoke alarms, but statistics show that in one in every eight house fires attended by fire and rescue services, the smoke alarm failed to work, largely due to flat or missing batteries.

"When fires break out, smoke alarms provide a vital early warning sign - indeed, they are often your ONLY warning. Don't put yourself or your family at risk for the sake of a battery."

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service will carry out a free safety check of your home and fit free smoke detectors where necessary. Ring 01296 744477 or send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk to book an appointment.

Advice if you are fitting your own smoke alarms:

• Fit one smoke detector to each floor at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting at ceiling level.
  
  
• Make sure your detector has the British Standard Kitemark on it.
  
  
• If you have only one smoke alarm, fit it in a place where it can be heard throughout your home - particularly when you are asleep!
  
  
• If you have a one-year smoke detector, test the battery once a week and change the battery annually. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recommends 10-year tamper-free detectors fitted with push buttons. These are available from all DIY stores.