Portable heater sets fire to bedroom
Firefighters have extinguished a bedroom fire after a portable heater fell over and set fire to the carpet, which spread to the bed.
Crews from Clacton were called to an incident near Spinnaker Close, Clacton on Monday 18 November at 6.54pm.
When they arrived they found a well developed fire in the bedroom. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and ventilate the property.
Watch Manager Dave Garratt said: “The resident was unaware that the fire was in their property until they opened the bedroom door. This just shows how important it is to keep doors closed if you can. The fire was contained to the bedroom because the door was shut.
"The cause of the fire was a portable heater which had fallen and caught the carpet alight. This then spread to the rest of the bedroom. As the weather gets colder, we know that a lot of people will be using portable heaters to keep warm. Please be cautious when using portable heaters to heat your home. Make sure you use them on flat surfaces, at least one metre away from anything flammable, and avoid leaving them on overnight.”
Unfortunately the property has been left uninhabitable due to fire and smoke damage.
Electrical Safety
November is the National Fire Chiefs Council's Elecrtical Safety Month. Ahead of the Christmas and winter sales we're urging shoppers across Essex to remain vigilant about product safety when purchasing items online.
Key tips:
- Buy from reputable sellers: Choose well-known retailers or trusted brands and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
- Look for safety marks: Check your item has the UKCA or CE mark, to help confirm an item meets required safety standards.
- Examine product warnings: Many counterfeit items lack clear instructions or adequate safety warnings. Legitimate products will typically include both.
