Posted: Thursday 20 July 2023, 13:09
A joint investigation into the cause of a serious fire at a house in Heanor has concluded the most likely cause to be accidental electrical.
Firefighters from Heanor, Ilkeston and Nottinghamshire’s Eastwood and Stockhill stations were called to the property on Sunningdale Avenue, Marlpool, at 9.52 hours on Wednesday 19 July.
Upon arrival, crews discovered the house was well alight and all occupants were out at the time of the fire.
Four breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire, which started in the ground floor living area.
Firefighters rescued 10 cats and one dog from the property but tragically, two cats and one dog died as a result of the fire.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind people of the following safety advice:
- Don’t overload extension leads and adaptors.
- Always check that you use the right fuse to prevent overheating of electrical appliances.
- Try and keep to one plug per socket.
- Keep your eyes peeled for signs of dangerous or loose wiring such as scorch marks, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow or circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reasons, or flickering lights.
- Unplug appliances when you're not using them or when you go to bed
- When charging devices such as laptops, phones, tablets and e-cigs, ensure they aren’t left unattended and never leave them plugged in and charging whilst asleep.
- Have a planned and practised escape route – ensure you know how you would get out in the event of a fire remembering to Get Out, Stay Out, and Call 999.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them weekly.
For more information about keeping safe, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk.
