House fire highlights need for working smoke detectors

The importance of having working smoke detectors and a fire plan for escaping your home in the event of an emergency was highlighted by a blaze in Salisbury early this morning.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to a house in Devizes Road at 4.50am where there was a fire in the downstairs living room. Two fire engines and the aerial appliance from Salisbury attended, along with a crew from Wilton and a control unit from Devizes.

Firefighters used four breathing apparatus wearers and one hose reel jet to fight the fire, which started accidentally.

Station Manager Tim Gray said that the householders had had a very lucky escape. “There were smoke detectors in the house but one had no battery and the other failed to work. It was sheer chance that someone woke up and found smoke in their bedroom, otherwise things could have been much worse. This incident underlines the importance of having smoke detectors and regularly checking that they work properly.”

He added: “Fortunately, on this occasion, the people in the house were able to get outside before firefighters arrived, but they told us that they had found the smoke very disorienting and it took them some time to reach safety. We always recommend having a fire plan, so everyone in the household knows the quickest and safest way out in the event of fire.”

For advice on home fire safety, call 0800 389 7849 or visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk

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