West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have been on scene overnight at a house fire in Chichester.
They posted on X just before 7pm (on Jan 30) announcing they had six engines and a water carrier at the house in East Harting.
They asked neighbours to avoid the area and keep doors and windows shut, as photos showed smoke billowing from the damaged roof of the house.
Drone photographs taken of the house appear to show the whole right side of the roof burned through with a large area of the upper portion of the house destroyed.
At 5.48am this morning (January 31) the fire service announced the incident was being scaled down and they were damping down the scene to ensure there were no 'hot spots'.
Firefighters are urging residents to have working smoke alarms in their properties following the fire.
Six fire engines from Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth and Hampshire & Isle of White Fire & Rescue Service responded to the fire in East Harting Street.
Upon arrival firefighters were confronted with a well-developed fire that was rapidly spreading to a neighbouring property. Fortunately, the occupier was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarm and evacuated to a place of safety.
Photo provided by WSFRS
After several hours, the fire was extinguished and crews remained on scene overnight to dampen down hotspots.
Station Manager, Darren Wickings, said:
“This incident highlights how important working smoke alarms are; in this case, the smoke alarm undoubtedly saved the occupier’s life.
“You are 10 times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there is no working smoke alarm, so I would urge everyone reading this to check they have smoke alarms on each floor of their property.
“Smoke alarms should also be tested weekly and replaced every 10 years to ensure they’re working and fit for purpose.”
Further fire safety advice is available on our website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/west-sussex-fire-and-rescue-service/home-fire-safety/
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