Working smoke alarms save man’s life

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a man was woken up during a flat fire by his smoke alarms. 

Crews were called to Old Road, Clacton at 3:43am to reports of a flat fire. 

On arrival, crews reported the flat was 100% smoke logged and the smoke alarms were going off. Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the flat and found a pan on fire in the kitchen. 

Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring flats. 

The man was treated for smoke inhalation and left in the care of the Ambulance Service. 

The flat has been left uninhabitable due to the smoke damage. 

Watch Manager Craig Todd from Clacton Fire Station said: “I’d like to emphasise the importance of working smoke alarms. Make sure you have at least one on every level of your home and test them regularly. This man’s life was saved by his smoke alarms. 

“Quick thinking crews brought the fire under control quickly and stopped it spreading to neighbouring flats.”