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Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service Issues Safety Advice Following Serious Fire in Ashbourne

Following a serious fire in Ashbourne, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people of the importance of having working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan in place.  

At 03.42 hours yesterday (Tuesday, 14 March), firefighters from Ashbourne, Wirksworth and Kingsway responded to a fire at a property on North Avenue, Ashbourne.  

Upon arrival, crews located a fire in a ground floor kitchen area. The three occupants, living in flats above, were rescued. 

One man was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation. No further information is available.  

A fire investigation has concluded the most probable cause of the fire to be accidental electrical.  

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make fire safety a priority by ensuring they have enough working smoke alarms in their homes and that they test them weekly.  

To keep your alarms in working order: 

  • Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home 
  • Test your smoke alarms by pushing the button every week 
  • Change the batteries every year. Only remove the batteries to replace them.  
  • Fit smoke alarms in the right place - on landings and hallways and near bedrooms.  Also consider fitting them in rooms which have electrical appliances – e.g. a heater or charger – or other fire risks.  

Every household should also have an escape plan in place just in case the worst was to happen. For advice on planning for an emergency, visit https://www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/safety/at-home/escape-plans

You can also carry out a review of fire safety in your home by completing a DIY home fire safety check at https://www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/?ref=DFRS.