Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Roydon Lane, Lanstephan, Launceston at 22/02/2006 02:34

The smoke alarm sounded when the food that the occupant had placed under the grill had caught fire after he had fallen asleep. The alarm initially alerted a neighbour who called the emergency services.

Just prior to the arrival of the two appliances from Launceston, the occupant eventually awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm and made his way to the door, where police assisted him to escape the smoke logged house. He was treated by ambulance personnel for light smoke inhalation.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hosereel to extinguish the fire and they rescued the occupant's cat. Positive pressure ventilation was then used to clear the smoke from the property.

Early detection of a fire gives the occupants a better chance to escape. This incident highlights the need for every household to have working smoke alarms installed. For further information on smoke alarms please follow the link below.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1722