The public has been warned over a common overnight practice that left a Belfast home in ruins this week after it went up in flames.
A resident of the property had left an electric scooter plugged in during the night to charge and was awoken in the early hours of the morning to the ringing of their smoke alarms.
The incident occurred at a home on Melrose Street in South Belfast where the residents had to be rescued from the house by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
READ MORE: Investigation underway after man is pulled from Dublin house fire with serious injuries
Firefighters were called to the scene at 2.39 am on Wednesday morning, August 31, and the incident was dealt with by 3.37 am.
In an appeal on social media, the public has been urged to avoid leaving appliances on charge unattended, while also asking people to ensure their smoke alarms are working properly.
Sharing photos of the significant damage caused by the blaze, a spokesperson for NIFRS East said: "Pictures of a house fire in early hours of this morning in South Belfast. Crews from Cadogan, Central, and Springfield Stations rescued two persons using ladders.
"Residents of property awakened by working smoke detectors. The fire caused by electric bike being left on charge.
“Please make sure nothing is left charging overnight and unattended and make sure you have working smoke detectors."
Homeowners are also advised by the HSE that a fire escape plan is necessary to ensure their family can escape a fire unharmed.
You should make the plan with everyone in your home and practice it regularly while putting it into action when your fire or smoke alarm goes off.
Your fire escape plan should include:
- Keep corridors, halls, doors and windows clear at all times
- Raise the alarm. Wake everyone up and get everyone out the quickest way
- Check doors with the back of your hand – don’t open them if they are warm. This means the fire is on the other side
- Only open the doors that you need to get out of the house
- If there is smoke, crawl along near to the floor where the air will be cleaner
- Do not look for the cause of the fire
- Meet at an assembly point outside your home and make sure everyone is out
- Call the fire brigade on 112 or 999 from a mobile phone or neighbour's home
- Do not go back into your home until the fire brigade tells you it is safe
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