Fire Investigation - Tibshelf, High Street

A joint fire investigation into the cause of a house fire on High Street, Tibshelf has determined that the most probable cause of the fire was accidental due to smoking materials.

Firefighters were called to the detached property at 12.47 hours on Monday 18th May following a call from a neighbour who had seen smoke coming from the front door.

One male casualty was rescued from the first floor of the building and handed into the care of paramedics.  The casualty was taken to hospital where he remains with life threatening injuries.

Fire Investigation Officer, Station Manager Paul Smith said: “This accidental fire serves as a stark reminder how quickly smoking materials can lead to a serious fire.

“I’d like to remind people to ensure that if they are smoking in the home, they follow some simple precautions to prevent a fire and serious injury.”

Smoke Safety Advice

• Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended, especially when children are present.
• Always use a suitable ashtray, never put ash straight into a bin with other rubbish.
• Remove ash deposits from ashtrays regularly.
• Always use child-resistant lighters and matches and store them out of reach from children.
• Take extra care when you are tired - falling asleep whilst smoking is the most common cause of smoking related fires.

For more information about staying safe in your home, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk alternatively follow and like @DerbyshireFRS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.