LFRS IN THE LOCAL AREA OFFERING ADVICE AFTER FATAL FIRE
On Monday 1 January, we attended a house fire on Wayside Drive, Oadby, after receiving a call informing us a property was involved in a fire. Two fire engines from Central and one from Wigston Fire and Rescue Station attended the incident, along with Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Despite our best efforts, the resident of the property, an elderly female, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Early investigations suggest the victim had died prior to the arrival of the emergency services. The fire is believed to have been started accidentally by an electrical heater being knocked over.
As part of our response, Community Safety Educators from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and firefighters from Wigston Fire and Rescue Station will be in the area to provide reassurance and advice on home fire safety in order to prevent any similar incidents occurring.
It’s essential that everyone stays safe from the risk of fire in their homes. We would like to encourage all residents in the neighbourhood to take advantage of this opportunity to familiarise themselves with what to do in the event of a fire, but more importantly, how they can prevent fires happening in the first place.
We will be in the local area, around Wayside Drive, on:
Friday 5 January between 10:00hrs and 16:00hrs
Saturday 6 January between 10:00hrs and 16:00 hrs
Due to the believed cause of the fire, we urge residents to take our advice on electrical heater safety, and keep the heaters away from flammable materials. For more information on staying safe and warm, visit www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home/staying-safe-warm.
In the meantime, a wide range of tips on how to keep you and your home safe from fire are available on Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s website which can be found by visiting www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home. This information can also be found in other languages by visiting www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home/fire-safety-home/other-languages.
If, for whatever reason, you will not be in the area on the days listed and you are interesting in having a FREE Home Fire Safety Check, visit https://lfrs.egressforms.com/Form/HomeFireSafetyCheck.
ENDS
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 229 2178 / 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
