Fire fighters remind residents to be alert after a busy weekend of house fires

Fire fighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are reminding residents of the importance of being alert to fires in the home after being called out to a number of house fires last weekend.

These fires mainly took place in the Tamworth and Lichfield areas and caused a range of damage from minor to significant, making some premises uninhabitable.

Crews were first called at 3pm on Thursday 4 November to Price Avenue in Tamworth following reports of house fire.

Then they were called again at 9.30pm to Church Side where an electrical fault caused a dishwasher fire.

A day later, on Friday 5 November, crews were called to Tudor Crescent in Tamworth at 8.26am where unattended cooking led to a fire.

Then they were called shortly after 9pm to Masefield Close in Lichfield where a firework ignition caused significant damage.

On Saturday 6 November, an electrical fire took place at 3.27am on Neville Street, which was caused by a vape being plugged into an incorrect electrical cable.

On Mansfield Close at 11.37pm, on Sunday 7 November, DIY materials, including linseed oil, self-combusted.

A few moments later, at 11.44pm, crews were called to Chaucer Close in Tamworth to a cooking-related fire.

On the same day, in Burton-upon-Trent, crews had been called at 11.04am to Station Road where a tumble dryer caused a house fire, while on Calgary Crescent at 12.30pm, a cooker was the cause of a kitchen fire.

In Lichfield on Monday 8 November, an electrical fire took place in a kitchen of a property on Earl Drive.

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in any of the incidents.

However, it is important that everyone refreshes their awareness of how to keep safe and protect themselves from fire in the home.

Remember:

• Ensure your appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them
• Never leave cooking unattended
• Never leave dishwashers or washing machines on while you are out
• Register your appliances for safety and recall information
• Do not over-load electrical sockets
• Use designated official chargers for electrical items and do not leave items charging overnight
• Completely unwind charger wires for electrical items to prevent over-heating.

Simon England, Prevent Delivery Lead for the Eastern Service Delivery Group with the fire service, said: “It is vital that members of the community remain alert to the dangers of fire as we continue to return to a new normal following the pandemic.

“Remember to switch off items no longer needed and never leave items such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers on in your home when you are not there.

“Be alert when you cook and if charging portable devices do not leave these unattended or on overnight.

“With winter around the corner and seasonal festivities soon to be upon us, also remember to check your smoke alarms.

“Stay Smart, Stay Alert, Stay Safe.”

To find out more, visit: Your Safety (staffordshirefire.gov.uk) or call 999 in an emergency.