Overloaded extension lead causes smoke-logged home

An overloaded extension lead which was smoking has been made safe by firefighters in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 5.15pm on Friday 6 March to a house off Sandon Road, Meir, following reports of smoke coming from a fridge.

The property was ventilated and nobody was reported injured.

Crews deemed the cause to be an overloaded extension lead which had caused a plug to melt.

Overloaded sockets and faulty appliances cause around 7,000 house fires across the country every year.

We are reminding residents to always keep one appliance to one plug where possible and if you’re using an extension, make sure it is fused and never overload it.

For more electrical safety tips, visit https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-at-home/electrical-safety/.