Firefighters ask neighbours not to ignore smoke alarms

St Johns Road, Colchester
22/11/2022 @ 21:23
Incident Number: 183265
In attendance: 2 x Colchester

Firefighters have issued a plea asking anyone who hears a smoke alarm not to ignore it.

Crews were called to St Johns Road, Colchester last night (Tuesday 22 November), after a woman called 999 to say she thought there was a fire at her house.

A neighbour had heard the smoke alarm going off but left it some time before calling the homeowner to tell her.

On arrival firefighters found that a basket of kindling had caught alight through heat transfer from a log burner.

Watch Manager Darren Holliday, Colchester Fire Station, said:

"Although the fire had been burning for some time we're lucky that it hadn't spread past the hearth.

"Unfortunately what it did mean is the whole house was full of smoke and has suffered smoke damage.

"Of course, this isn't the fault of the neighbour, but it's a reminder to take these incidents seriously.

"My ask to everyone is not to ignore a smoke alarm if you hear it coming from inside another property. If you can safely do so, go and check what's happening. You might see smoke through the windows or the door might be hot to touch.

"If you're in doubt or you think there's an emergency call 999 straight away."

Using a log burner to keep warm this winter? Follow our chimney safety advice:

Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood
Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed
Use a fire or spark guard
Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them
Do not place anything flammable, including wood and kindling, too close to the burner
Inspect your chimney regularly - particularly in the roof space - to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks
Avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Suitable seasoned timber must be used in all solid fuel stoves
Buy only suitable fuels. Using the wrong type of fuel on a liner will reduce the life of the liner considerably due to increased corrosion

Do you have working smoke alarms?

Do you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and test your smoke alarms regularly?

If you or someone you know hasn't got working smoke alarms at home, did you know we can fit them for free?

Please get in touch with our home fire safety team by calling 0300 303 0088 or by visiting essex-fire.gov.uk/book.