A 78-year-old man died in a flat fire caused by smoker's materials, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has confirmed.
Firefighters rushed to a flat on St. Anne Street in Birkenhead at around 8.45pm on Monday, May 2 following reports of a fire. Once crews arrived at the scene they found a ground floor flat well alight.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the flat and extinguished the fire using hose reel jets. When firefighters searched the flat and found the body of a 78-year-old man.
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An initial investigation into the cause of the fire found it was potentially caused by smoker’s materials. In response to the tragic death MFRS crews and staff have provided fire safety advice and completed home fire safety checks in Birkenhead.
MFRS Area Manager for Prevention Ged Sheridan said: “This was a tragic incident which resulted in the death of an elderly man. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and loved ones at this difficult time.
"If you have elderly neighbours or relatives, or if you are a carer looking after someone more vulnerable, please check in on them frequently to make sure they are safe and well and provide fire safety advice regularly. Please speak to us in the Fire and Rescue Service if you need additional support.
"We also urge care support agencies to let us know if they feel someone might be vulnerable from fire – our firefighters and prevention teams help people every day to keep safe in their homes.”
As part of this week’s reassurance campaign, firefighters from Birkenhead, Wallasey, Heswall and Aintree community fire stations and staff from MFRS prevention and protection teams visited the surrounding area in Birkenhead to offer fire safety advice and provide reassurance. Crews also completed home fire safety checks.
AM Sheridan said: “The key focuses of this week’s reassurance campaign are the importance of having a working smoke alarm and to ensure people are aware of the dangers that can arise from smoking in the home. We urge the public to ensure their homes have working smoke alarms on every level and to test them at least monthly.
"If you hear a smoke alarm go off in a neighbour’s property, check it out and if you suspect fire, call 999 immediately. Those vital few seconds could help save a life.
"If you do smoke, the safest thing to do is to stop. Fires ignited by cigarettes or smoking materials result in more fatalities than any other type of fire. Never smoke in bed, take extra care when you’re tired and make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished."
