Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

launceston at 22/10/2007 06:32

Firefighters from Launceston were called to a house fire this morning at Boyton, Launceston.

When they arrived the ground floor of the cottage was on fire. The male occupant had tackled the fire himself and had managed to keep it under control.

Firefighters extinguished it and then cut away the floorboards to ensure the fire was completely out.

Station Officer Gary Chapman said: ¡§The fire started in the chimney during the night, and then spread to the rest of the downstairs .The owner was woken by his alarm clock this morning and when he came downstairs he was faced with the fire and a lot of smoke¡¨.

He added: ¡§He tackled the fire himself using buckets of water. He was extremely lucky. We would not recommend that anyone tried to tackle a fire themselves. If you discover a fire get out, stay out and call the fire brigade out¡¨

Cornwall County Fire Brigade attend over 200 chimney fires a year. Chimneys should be swept by a competent chimney sweep at least once a year, preferably before you light the fire for the first time in the autumn If you regularly burn wood we recommend that the chimney is swept twice a year.

ć Use a spark guard fixed to the wall when a fire is left unattended, or when there are children or elderly people around.

ć Do not place clothes or other flammable material on the guard or too close to the fire

ć Make sure you have a bedtime safety routine to keep your family safe

ć Use fire lighters never flammable liquids

ć Check that your smoke alarm is working

Remember a chimney fire could spread into the rest of your home, resulting in severe damage, personal injury or even death. For free home safety check ring freephone 0800 3581 999.