Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Mitchell at 16/01/2005 01:06

The Brigade where called to a chip pan fire that then spread through the kitchen and then to the first floor. 2 appliances from Newquay and 1 from St Columb attended the incident. Crews used 5 breathing apparatus sets and 2 jets to fight the fire and then damp down afterwards. There were no smoke alarms fitted in the house

Why smoke alarms?
On average 270 of the people killed in accidental fires each year don’t have a smoke alarm.
Half of the deaths in home fires happen between 10pm and 8am.
A quarter of all people who die in home fires are asleep at the time.
Over the last five years, more than 70 people have been killed every year because their smoke alarms didn’t work – usually because the battery was flat or missing.



Tell me more …
Smoke alarms can be bought for less than £5.
You can now also buy 10 year smoke alarms that mean you don’t have to change the battery every year. These cost between £15 – £28.
DIY stores, hardware and electrical shops, supermarkets and convenience stores sell smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms are easy to fit. All you have to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions and it should take just a few minutes. If you feel unsteady or unsure ask a neighbour, family or friends to help put it up or the local fire brigade can also help.
It is better to have a smoke alarm on each level of your home, the more you have the safer you will be.
See the

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire/fsafety/fs01c.htm