Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended a house fire in Marled Hey, Waterpark Drive, Stockbridge Village on Tuesday morning 23rd February 2021. Sadly, we can confirm that the incident involved one fatality.
Crews were alerted at 7.35am and on scene at 7.42am. North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Merseyside Police also attended the incident.
Firefighters discovered the body of a woman in a ground floor room who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Three fire engines attended and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using 2 high pressure hose reel jets. The fire was fully extinguished by around 7.55am and the house was ventilated.
A joint investigation between MFRS and Merseyside Police has been carried out and determined the fire started in a ground floor room of the house. Initial investigations indicate the fire was accidental and caused by a cigarette.
Firefighters and prevention staff from MFRS will now go out into the community around Waterpark Drive, to reassure residents, leafleting properties and offering vital fire safety advice on the doorstep.
Mark Thomas, Group Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said: “This was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the friends and relatives of the lady who has sadly died”
“Initially, it appears that the incident was as a result of a discarded cigarette. This makes the incident even more sad as it was so avoidable. The quick actions of a neighbour in dialling 999 after hearing the smoke alarms from next door and seeing smoke when they investigated were exactly the right action to take, but sadly the fire had already taken hold and it appears that the lady had died before our arrival.”
“Smoking remains the biggest killer in accidental fires in the home. If you do smoke, please make sure you do so safely. Never smoke in bed and take extra care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and it could easily set furniture alight. Remember, make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished – put it out, right out.”
“We would urge residents across Merseyside to ensure that they have smoke alarms installed in their homes – at least one on every level – and that they are tested regularly. We would also like to make a plea to smokers to make sure they are aware of the dangers that smoking in the home can cause.”
The deceased’s next of kin have been informed.
These simple steps can help prevent cigarette and e-cigarette fires in the home:
- Never smoke in bed. Take care when you’re tired – it’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and it could easily set furniture alight.
- Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your lit cigarette starts a fire you could be less able to escape.
- Put it Out, Right Out! Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished.
- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended – they can easily overbalance as they burn down.
- Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn. Never use a wastepaper basket to dispose of a cigarette butt.
- Keep matches out of children’s reach.
- Never leave e-cigarettes on charge unattended for long periods of time.
- Do not mix components of different e-cigarettes.
- Only use the charger supplied with your device.
- Ensure you purchase your e-cigarette and charger from a reputable source and check the e-cigarette carries CE certification.
- Fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it weekly. Working smoke alarms can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
- Consider installing additional smoke alarms in rooms with electrical appliances or sleeping areas.
For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your home, please call 0800 731 5958.