Firefighters from Horsham and Billingshurst were mobilised to a blaze at a property in Broadbridge Heath after a smoke alarm sounded in the late hours of Wednesday (February 18).
Crews found a substantial fire in the ground floor lounge of the home and used two hose reels and a jet to extinguish the flames.
The cause of the fire is thought to have been a stack of firewood next to a log burner catching alight - luckily for the resident, they were awoken by their smoke alarm and were able to quickly evacuate and summon help.
The incident has prompted a warning from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, which is urging residents with log burners and open fireplaces to take extra care.
Richard Bradley, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service’s Group Manager for Fire Safety, attended the incident.
He said:
“Fortunately the homeowner had a working smoke alarm fitted and was alerted to the fire, despite already having gone to bed, and with the help of a neighbour had managed to escape from the property before crews arrived.
“Having a working smoke alarm gives you the earliest warning that something isn’t right, giving you the greatest chance of getting out of your property safely. Had this resident not had a smoke alarm in their property, the outcome would likely have been very different.
“The fire was started after a large pile of stacked wood next to the wood burner downstairs caught fire. We would encourage people who have log burners or open fireplaces to ensure that their fuel supply is stored safely away from the fire itself so as to prevent it igniting unexpectedly.”
WSFRS recommends that all properties have a working smoke alarm fitted to each floor of the property and that this is tested at least once a week.
If you have an open fire place or log burner, we're told to ensure fuel is kept in a safe area away from the heat source until we are ready to use it.
You can help prevent the spread of fire by ensuring you close internal doors before you go to bed and when you leave the property.
A closed-door can prevent the spread of fire and toxic gases by up to 20 minutes.
For more information on home fire safety visit: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/west-sussex-fire-and-rescue-service/home-fire-safety/
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