Fire chiefs warning to smokers after increase in fires

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has attended 11 smoking related incidents since the beginning of April compared to an average of two incidents per month last year.

Crews from across the borough attended two fires earlier this week sparked by homeowners carelessly discarding cigarettes in Ashton and Leigh.

On April 20, three fire crews were called to a blaze at a house in Grasmere Drive, Ashton. It is believed to have started after a person flicked a cigarette out of an upstairs window, causing plastic drainage to set on fire.

While on April 19 in Leigh, a fire involving two houses on The Avenue, was also though to have been caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.

It prompted a warning from fire crews in the borough, who warned that such incidents were increasing during the lockdown. Now GMFRS is repeating the same calls. for smokers to take care.

GMFRS Assistant chief fire officer Tony Hunter said: "I’d encourage anyone who does smoke to think carefully about where they choose to discard their smoking materials and to always check that they are fully extinguished.

“We recognise that due to the restrictions in movement members of the public are at home more than ever and with that comes an increase of risk from fire and for this reason we are asking people to take extra care. A fire at any time puts lives at risk and can have a lasting impact on those involved. However, the pandemic increases the risk and the impact significantly.

“I’d ask where possible members of the public think twice about their actions to help prevent fires and our firefighters turning out to any incidents that could have been easily avoided.”

A range of smoking fire safety advice can be found by visiting the GMFRS website.