Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is warning of the dangers of smoking in the home following the tragic death of a woman after a fire in St. Helens last week.
The fire occurred in a house in Spencer Gardens, St Helens in the afternoon of Sunday 10th November. Crews were alerted at 4.42pm and on scene at 4.48pm after a fire was reported in the mid-terraced property. Three fire engines were sent to the scene.
Crews arrived to find a fire on the ground floor. Firefighters entered the house wearing breathing apparatus to fight the fire and search the house. A 74-year-old woman was quickly located and rescued from the house suffering severe smoke inhalation and burns. Fire crews gave oxygen and provided first aid and burn dressings. The lady was taken to hospital by North West Ambulance Service but tragically passed away a day later on Monday 11th November as a result of her injuries.
An investigation was carried out by MFRS and determined the fire started in the living room of the house, which was also being used as a bedroom. Initial investigations indicate the fire was accidental and caused by a discarded match. No one else was injured in the incident.
Firefighters and prevention staff from MFRS will visit residents in the area today to reassure residents, offer vital fire safety advice and carry out home fire safety checks.
Mark Thomas, Area Manager and Head of Prevention at MFRS, said: “This is a very sad incident which has tragically resulted in the death of a 74-year-old lady. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and community at this time. We know that the lady had carers and relatives who visited her regularly to check on her welfare.”
“We are able to establish that the fire was caused by a match being accidentally dropped onto a table which was next to the lady’s bed after it had been used to light a cigarette. This is particularly tragic as it was so easily avoidable.”
Mr. Thomas added “Smoking remains the biggest cause of fatality in fires in the home. Once again, a tragic incident shows the very real dangers smoking poses. The safest thing to do is to not smoke at all and there are many ways to get support to give up.
“If you must smoke, do so safely. Never smoke in bed, particularly if you have poor mobility, and take extra care when tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while a cigarette is still burning, and it can easily set furniture alight. Please make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished – put it out, right out.
“The most important thing to consider is to have working smoke alarms and we would urge residents across Merseyside to take time out of their day to check they are working.
“I would like to commend the actions of a neighbour who heard the smoke alarms actuating at the house and went to check on the lady. This was absolutely the right thing to do. If you hear a smoke alarm sounding you should raise the alarm and dial 999.“
These simple steps can help prevent cigarette and e-cigarette fires in the home:
- Never smoke in bed. Take care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and it could easily set furniture alight.
- Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.
- Put it Out, Right Out! Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.
- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended – they can easily overbalance as they burn down.
- Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn. Never use a wastepaper basket to dispose of a cigarette butt.
- Keep matches out of children’s reach.
- Never leave e-cigarettes on charge unattended for long periods of time.
- Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes.
- Only use the charger supplied with your device.
- Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette and charger from a reputable source and check the e-cigarette carries CE certification.
- Fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it weekly. Working smoke alarms can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
- Consider installing additional smoke alarms in rooms with electrical appliances or sleeping areas.
For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your home, please call 0800 731 5958.
Smoking Cessation Services in Merseyside:
Liverpool Smoke free Liverpool Tel: 0151 374 2535 text “QUIT1” to 61825
Knowsley Smoke Free Knowsley Tel: 0151 426 7462 text "QUIT" to 61825
St Helens St Helens wellbeing Tel: 01744 371 111 text “QUIT” to 61825
Wirral Smoke Free Wirral Tel: 0151 541 5656 Text “ABL” to 60777
Sefton Smoke free Sefton Tel: 0300 100 1000 Text “ABL” to 62277