Fire chiefs issue Christmas blaze warning

Grim figures show 90% of people who die in fatal house fires are older people who live by themselves.

Burnley Fire Station Manager Steve Morgan said a large amount of these fire deaths happen around festive period in December and Janaury.

He says elderly residents without smoke alarms who are using electic heaters because of fuel poverty or smoking inside can be at most risk of a serious fire.

Station Manager Morgan is now pleading with neighbours of vulnerable people to make one call to the “Safer Together” campaign which could save a life this Christmas.

Station Manager Morgan said: “If there is a fatal house fire or serious injury at Christmas there will always be an absolute anniversary and constant memory of it.

“We would not want the festive period to be forever a memory of losing someone, especially as it is so avoidable.”

He has launched the campaign to urge people with elderly family members, friends or neighbours living alone to check they have working smoke alarms.

Firefighters have been out in force at shops and supermarkets in Burnley spreading the message

He said: “If ever there was a good time to get through to people, it is now – when they are visiting elderly relatives at Christmas. Smoke alarms give people a greater chance of surviving a fire.

“If we can save even one life this Christmas it will be a success.”

For a free home fire safety check call 0800 169 1125.