Accidental House Fire in Burslem

A fire investigation has established that a fire in a property on High Lane in Burslem last night started accidentally.

Crews from Burslem, Sandyford, Kidsgrove and Hanley were called to the house by a neighbour at 6.20pm and found that an open fire had accidentally set fire to surrounding combustible materials.

Station Manager, Ian Read said: “Crews tackled the fire on the ground floor of the property using a hose reel jet. Neither of the occupiers was present at the time of the fire and there were no persons injured.

“The living room has been left damaged by fire and smoke and the property is smoke logged throughout. There was a fire guard in use however due to the clutter directly in front of and surrounding the fireplace, heat radiated and set some paper and other materials alight.

“We would urge everyone to ensure that fireplaces are kept free from any clutter, even though the necessary precaution of a fireguard was being used the close proximity of the various materials meant that the heat from the fire ignited them and the fire then spread throughout the surrounding materials.”
Crews left the scene at 10.45pm.

To book a free Home Fire Risk Check contact: 0800 0241 999. You can also book online at http://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/1399.asp. For all other non emergency enquiries contact: 08451 22 11 55 or log onto: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/firekills. In an emergency dial 999.