Blaze demonstrates importance of fire alarms (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Blaze demonstrates importance of fire alarms

FIRE crews called to a fire in a pan of food have said that the incident shows how important smoke alarms are.

The crews were called to Queensborough in Toothill at 4.15pm on Monday.

A pan was on fire and the flat was heavily smoke-logged. A man who lived nearby had heard a smoke alarm going off and called for help. The house was empty but the crews forced their way in to the home.

Sub-officer Martin Lloyd of Westlea station said: "We thought this demonstrated the effectiveness of domestic smoke alarms."

Swindon community fire safety officer Fraser Drummond said "In this instance, the residents were extremely fortunate to have a well maintained and working smoke alarm in their property.

"But sadly, others are not so lucky.

"It's tragic when people die or are injured in accidental domestic fires, particularly when they could have been avoided if they could try to remember to check their smoke alarms weekly."