Smoke alarm alerts father to fire in child's bedroom

A family has suffered a lucky escape thanks to working smoke alarms. 

Crews were called to a house in Buckhurst Hill after a father was woken by his smoke alarm and discovered a fire in his child's bedroom. 

The father saw that an electric fan has caught alight and managed to turn it off and throw it out of the window before calling 999. 

Watch Manager Marc Lemon, Loughton Fire Station, said:

"There's no doubt the smoke alarms saved this child's life.

"If it hadn't been for the smoke alarm waking up the parent, this fire could have quickly developed and spread within the child's bedroom before anyone knew what was happening. 

"Smoke alarms alert you to the first sign of fire, but only if they are working. Make sure you test them regularly to protect your family and your home."

Both the father and the child suffered some smoke inhalation and after receiving oxygen therapy from firefighters were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.  

The bedroom has suffered some smoke damage. 

Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?

Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers by to a fire in your home if you're not in.

We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month.

If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch with our Service. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.

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