Fire chiefs say new cigarettes could save one life every five days
17 November 2011
A revolutionary new type of cigarette could save one life every five days in the UK by cutting the number of fires caused by smoking, according to the London Fire Brigade.
From today, every cigarette made in the EU will have to meet new safety standards so that the cigarette, once lit, goes out if it is not actively smoked. The new cigarettes have special bands at intervals down the length of the cigarette paper so that they extinguish themselves when they are not puffed on. Fire chiefs estimate they could cut the number of smoking related fires and fire deaths by two thirds.
The careless disposal of smoking materials is the most common cause of fire deaths in the UK. According to latest figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government, in 2008 around 2,800 fires in the UK were caused by smoking materials, 101 people died and 932 were injured. It is estimated the new cigarettes could prevent 1,800 fires, 67 fire deaths and 600 casualties a year in the UK.
The London Fire Brigade was instrumental in the new safety standards being adopted, having lobbied for the change as far back as 2005. If a cigarette does not comply with the legislation trading standards will be able to seize cigarettes and remove them from the market.
Chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Community Safety Committee, Cllr Susan Hall, said:
“Cigarette fires are a killer, destroying lives and properties across the country every day. These new safety standards amount to an all out attack on the single biggest cause of fire deaths in the country. This small but simple change will slash the likelihood of having a fire caused by cigarette but people still need to take care. Never smoke in bed and always dispose of cigarettes carefully.
“We have campaigned long and hard for this legislation because it will undoubtedly save lives. Firefighters know how much havoc cigarette fires can cause and these new cigarettes will help keep thousands of people safe. This is a watershed moment for fire safety in the UK.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) UK fire statistics 2008.
DCLG undertook some research into the comparisons of the propensity of fire safer cigarettes and conventional cigarettes to ignite textile materials used in a domestic environment. The research estimated that had cigarettes in the UK conformed to the New York standard (where fire safer cigarettes have already been introduced) in 2003, the number of smoking related fires would have been reduced in that year by nearly two thirds.
The new standard for cigarettes will be published in the Official Journal European Union on 17 November 2011.
In London around one in three of all fatalities in accidental house fires is caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials, while London Fire Brigade is called to around 800 house fires a year which are started in this way.
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Fire deaths fall by 40% as Finland introduce RIP Cigarettes
16 November 2011
According to preliminary results published by the Emergency Services College in Kuopio (Finland), self-extinguishing cigarettes, which were introduced in 01/04/2010, have helped significantly reduced the number of deadly fires.
The Ministry of the Interior said that the change has been the single most important measure the past decades to reduce the number of deadly fires.
Self-extinguishing cigarettes became compulsory in Finland at the beginning of April 2010.
For years, smoking has been the principal cause of deadly fires in Finland. In 2007-2009, smoking caused in average 28 deaths.
In 2010 alone, discarded smoking material caused 16 fire deaths.
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Self-extinguishing cigarettes and other curious little safety inventions
03 November 2011
In Europe, "self-extinguishing" cigarettes are about to become law but where do they stand in the pantheon of safety innovations?
The images from fire safety films are painfully familiar.
They usually feature someone smoking on the sofa - perhaps watching television - only to nod off while the cigarette is still alight. Soon, it drops out of the hand, eventually setting fire to the furniture.
From 17 November, a new EU directive will require cigarettes to meet a reduced ignition propensity (RIP) requirement. They will be manufactured to be self-extinguishable, to reduce the chance that they should set fire to sofas, beds and other combustible materials.
In England, of the 212 people that died in house fires last year, 81 were the result of cigarettes, cigars and pipes, says the Department of Communities and Local Government.
The DCLG estimates the new types of cigarettes could save up to 64 lives each year in England.
Some RIP cigarettes use paper that is rolled differently to normal cigarettes. Narrow bands of paper are applied on top of traditional cigarette paper at various intervals during the paper-making process.
The idea is that these act like "speed bumps". When the cigarette burns down to one of these rings, in the absence of fairly steady puffing, there is a greater chance that the cigarette will go out than with traditional versions.
Safety campaigners stress that there is no such thing as a truly "fire-safe" cigarette but that something that potentially improves public safety can only be a good thing.
New York became the first US state to adopt reduced ignition propensity cigarettes in 2004. In 2009, the state reported an estimated 33% reduction in fatalities due to materials catching fire because of cigarettes.
Other states have followed New York's lead. Today RIPs are available across the US, Canada and Australia.
But it has been a long journey for what appears to be a simple invention.
According to reports, the first North American patent for a self-extinguishing cigarette was registered as early as 1854. Many other patents have been registered since, but early versions usually involved the addition of fire retardants.
The original concept for the types of "fire safer" cigarettes that focus on the paper date back to the early 1900s, according to fire safety scientist Richard Gann.
But it has taken decades for the tobacco industry to get behind it.
"The 'fire safer' cigarette is the latest of a huge number of simple but clever inventions that really can save lives," says Jack Challoner, science writer and author of several books on the history of invention.
"Simple ideas really can save lives - and the best ones can quickly become taken for granted. Without cat's eyes, for example, driving at night would be far more hazardous - but how often do we take notice of them?" says Challoner.
"No one likes it when smoke detectors go off when you are burning toast or when we have to change the batteries - but we are in awe of simple inventions like this when they save lives. And they do."
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Tobacco manufacturers prepare for the introduction of RIP cigarettes
13 July 2011
An advert published in the magazine Convenience Store on 08/07/2011, shows that tobacco manufacturers are preparing for the introduction of RIP cigarettes (Note: the industry refers to them as LIP cigarettes).
Download a scan of this advert as a pdf by clicking here.
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Woman's death at Clifton house 'not suspicious
10 March 2011
The death of a woman whose body was found after a fire at a house in Nottingham is not being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the property on Pieris Drive, Clifton, at about 1545 GMT on Wednesday.
Firefighters discovered the body of the woman, believed to be have been in her 60s, inside the the house.
The results of an investigation by fire officials suggest the blaze was caused by smoking materials.
Source: BBC News
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Smoking time bomb: Cigarettes the most deadly cause of house fire fatalities.
09 March 2011
Smokers are being reminded today that careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires. Habits such as smoking whilst drinking alcohol in the home or lighting up in bed are responsible for one in three (36 per cent) of all accidental house fires resulting in deaths.
With a steady decline in the number of smokers in England, the overall number of fires triggered by cigarettes is small, but with over a third of all fire deaths in the country attributed to cigarettes the proportion of fatalities is staggering.
To coincide with National No Smoking Day (9 March 2011), the Fire Kills campaign is urging smokers to realise the deadly dangers of lighting up in the home. Smokers not giving up should still be aware of the fire risks they face, cut out dangerous habits, install smoke alarms on every level of the home and test them weekly. A working smoke alarm means you are more than twice as likely to survive an accidental house fire.
Sheila Pendlesbury sadly lost her grandson Shaun in house fire triggered by a cigarette. She said:
"Shaun was only 27 year old when he died. He had a daughter and a bright future ahead of him. His loss is something we as a family will have to live with. But it hurts enormously to know something as basic, as a working smoking alarm could have alerted him to the fire and possibly saved his life."
The Government's Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sir Ken Knight said:
"Without an early alarm system in place you could lose valuable escape time in a fire. Just two to three breaths of toxic smoke can render a person unconscious. As well as the health dangers, people need to be aware of the deadly risks of smoking in the home and how smoking materials can very quickly and easily lead to a fire. When extinguishing cigarettes smokers must make sure they 'put it out, right out' and if possible refrain from smoking in the home at all."
For smokers not ready to kick the habit this No Smoking Day, it is important to follow these simple precautions to prevent a fire at home:
* put it out, right out! Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished
* fit a smoke alarm and test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999
* never smoke in bed. Take care when you're tired. It's very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning and set furniture alight
* avoid drugs and alcohol when smoking. It's easy to lose your concentration when using any sort of drugs or drinking alcohol, combined with cigarettes and this could be lethal
* never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down
* use a proper, heavy ashtray that can't tip over easily and is made of a material that won't burn.
For further information on fire safety visit www.direct.gov.uk/firekills
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Van set on fire after smoking ban at Stepping Hill Hospital was ignored
24 February 2011
A van was set on fire after the smoking ban at Stepping Hill Hospital was ignored.
The Fiat's passenger door was badly damaged in the fire on Wednesday (February 23) just after 2.30pm.
Firefighters were called and extinguished the blaze. Despite smoking on the hospital site being outlawed, it is believed the fire was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
Source: Stockport Express
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Sheffield man 'lucky' after left cigarette starts fire
14 February 2011
A Sheffield man has been described as "lucky to be alive" after sleeping through a fire alarm triggered by an unattended cigarette.
Firefighters said the man, 50, was pulled unconscious from his Scotia Drive property on Sunday night.
He regained consciousness after being given oxygen outside the property.
Earlier in the evening a woman aged 83 was rescued from her Skelton Drive flat after setting fire to papers while smoking in bed.
Speaking about both incidents Watch Manager Steve Krzebietka from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Thankfully fire crews were on the scene very quickly but a few more minutes and we could have been dealing with a fatality."
He said it was not safe to smoke in bed because cigarettes could easily set fire to bedclothes and "you may never wake up because the fumes can kill you".
Source: BBC News
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Fire Statistics for 2008 Released
21 January 2011
The Fire Statistic for 2008 have been released by the Department for Communities and Local Government. They show that smokers’ materials (i.e. cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco) were the most frequent source of ignition causing accidental dwelling fire deaths that year, accounting for over a third of all accidental dwelling fire deaths in 2008.
For every 1,000 accidental dwelling fires (where smokers’ materials were the source of ignition), 36 people were killed in 2008. Since 1998, such deaths have become increasingly less common and there has been a downward trend in the figures for most of the decade. In 2008 however, the number of these deaths was almost the same as in 2007.
Download a pfd of the Fire Statistics United Kingdom, 2008
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Woman dies in flat fire
04 January 2011
A woman was found dead after a blaze thought to have been caused by smoking materials, fire service officials have said.
The victim, aged in her 40s who has not yet been named, was discovered at a ground-floor flat in Solihull, West Midlands, at about 3.20pm on New Year's Day.
West Midlands Fire Service said the blaze was already out when its crews attended the property in Pailton Road, Shirley, where the woman lived alone.
"On arrival crews discovered a deceased woman in her 40s and a sofa that had been on fire," a fire service spokesman said. "The cause of the fire is thought to be associated with smoking materials."
Source: The Blackpool Gazette
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Family escape after bedroom fire
17 December 2010
A family of three were forced to flee from a Shaw house after a fire broke out in an upstairs bedroom.
Two fire crews from Oldham were called to the property in Eden Way, Crompton, at 8.30pm.
The family, which included two adults and a teenager, had already escaped from the mid-terrace house.
The blaze was started by carelessly discarded smoking materials in what is believed to be the teenager's bedroom.
Firefighters were at the property, which caused severe damage to the bedroom, for 90 minutes.
Source: Oldham Advertiser
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Cigarette started fatal Mold house fire which killed mum
25 November 2010
A mum was found dead by fire crews after a discarded cigarette sparked a blaze at her Mold home.
Wendy Tranter, 54, was found upstairs in her home on Llys Derwen by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews at about 3.30pm on Thursday.
A neighbour this week paid tribute to Ms Tranter.
She said: “This lady was a true neighbour and we were getting a fair way onto being real friends.
“Having lived next door to her for a number of months, she was a quiet lady who kept herself to herself. She was also a considerate lady, a kind lady and a lady who had strong family and social values.
“Taking care of her mother and sons, she still had so much love to give to her beautiful dog and to share out with the neighbourhood.”
Fire chiefs confirmed the blaze was started by discarded smoking materials.
Kevin Roberts, county safety manager, added: “Make sure you always extinguish your smoking materials – it is all too easy to fall asleep when your cigarette is still burning.”
An inquest into Ms Tranter’s death has been opened and adjourned.
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Smoking blamed for 45 house fires in one year
23 November 2010
Smoking caused at least 45 fires in Derbyshire homes in one year.
The figure has been released as part of an NHS campaign to cut smoking in homes and cars in the county in a bid to protect people from passive smoking.
Among those backing the campaign is Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, which released the new statistics.
The campaign is also a response to research showing that children are more likely to start smoking if they grow up in homes where people smoke.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's area manager, Gavin Tomlinson, said: "If people do choose to smoke in their home, they should take care to stub out all cigarettes in proper ashtrays, never smoke in bed and not leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around as they can easily fall over and start a fire."
Stephen Walker, who is heading the campaign on behalf of NHS Derbyshire County, welcomed the support of the fire service.
He said: "Statistics show smoking in the home also carries a risk of fires, as well as other health concerns.
"Fires caused by smoking kill more people than any other kind of fire and account for a third of all accidental fatal fires in the home."
Source: This is Derbyshire
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International study shows importance of adopting RIP standards
24 October 2010
Abstract
Background Cigarette-ignited fires are a leading cause of fire death and injury throughout the world and remain a global public health and safety problem. To reduce this harm, a small number of countries now require cigarettes to have reduced ignition propensity (RIP). It is not known if cigarette manufacturers are voluntarily introducing RIP cigarettes in other countries to help save lives.
Methods Using the ASTM E2187-04 test method, per cent full length burn (%FLB) was measured for three popular brands from each of seven countries that did not have RIP legislation at the time of purchase. Results were compared with %FLB measurements from four popular US brands purchased in a jurisdiction (Vermont) with an RIP law. SRM 1082 reference cigarette was also tested to assure laboratory quality control.
Results All cigarette brands purchased in countries not requiring fire safety standards for cigarettes exceeded 75% FLB. In contrast, none of the cigarette brands from the USA exceeded 10% FLB. The SRM 1082 reference cigarette demonstrated 5% FLB.
Conclusion Cigarette ignition propensity can be greatly reduced through legislation that requires cigarette fire safety standards. RIP cigarettes have the potential to significantly decrease the number of fire deaths, injuries and destruction of property caused by cigarette-ignited fires. Appropriate standards should be applied in cigarette markets globally.
Source: Tobacco Control
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USA: Tobacco fire deaths drop to second-lowest since 1980 on safer cigarettes
21 October 2010
The number of U.S. deaths from fires caused by lighted tobacco products fell to the second-lowest since 1980 as more states mandated that cigarettes have safety protection, and fewer people smoked, a safety group said.
Fires caused by smoking killed 680 U.S. people in 2008, compared with 720 in 2007, according to a statement today from the National Fire Protection Association. The figures exclude firefighter fatalities. The blazes caused 1,520 injuries and $737 billion in property damage in 2008, the group said. The low was 640 deaths in 2002.
Fires from smoking products have declined 66 percent since 1980. By February, all 50 states had passed bills that require cigarettes with a lower propensity for burning when left unattended, the association said. New York was the first state to pass such a law, in 2003, according to the NFPA. Smokers can reduce risk by going outside to light up and abstaining when they’re tired or intoxicated, the group said.
“To prevent a cigarette fire, you have to be alert,” the NFPA said. “You won’t be if you’re sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.”
The percentage of U.S. adults 18 years and older who were smokers totaled 20.6 percent in 2009, down from 24.7 percent in 1997, according to the website of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Source: Bloomberg
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Woman, 77, dies in house fire after falling asleep with a lit cigarette
22 October 2010
An elderly woman has died in a house fire after falling asleep while smoking.
June Batey, 77, died in hospital, shortly after firefighters had been called to her home in Tenterden Close, Bransholme, and found her lying apparently lifeless on the sofa.
Mrs Batey, who was described as "a lovely woman" had lived at Tenterden Close for 13 years with her son, who works as a porter at the University of Hull.
Fire services were alerted to the smoke at 12.27pm and reached the house five minutes later.
At the time of the fire, her son was at work, and Mrs Batey was alone in the house.
She was found immobile on her sofa.
The flames were extinguished within 20 minutes and Mrs Batey was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary by ambulance, but died shortly after arriving.
The police and fire services carried out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire, which was not thought to be suspicious.
The full details of their findings will not be released until the inquest, but it is believed the fire was started when Mrs Batey fell asleep while smoking a cigarette.
A spokesperson for Humberside Fire and Rescue said: "We can confirm after the initial fire investigation, it would indicate the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.
"Although this can not be confirmed until the coroner's report is complete."
Humberside Fire And Rescue issued a warning to all smokers with the following instructions:
* Never smoke in bed
* Never leave lit cigarettes lying around.
* Always use a proper ashtray and make sure it cannot be knocked over
* Take special care when you are tired or when you have been drinking.
* Keep matches and lighters away from children.
* Make sure you have a working smoke alarm
Source: This is Hull and East Riding
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Man dies after cigarette accident in Staffordshire
1 September 2010
An 83-year-old man who suffered burns after accidentally setting fire to himself with a cigarette, has died.
Firefighters went to Hough Hill, Brown Edge, Staffordshire, early on Friday.
The man was smoking in his kitchen when he accidentally dropped the cigarette onto his pyjamas, which then caught alight, the fire service said.
He had suffered about 70% burns and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he died on Saturday.
Assistant Area Commander for Stoke-on-Trent, Glynn Luznyj, said: "We'd actually visited this gentleman and provided him with the necessary fire protection.
"However, as this incident has highlighted, cigarettes can very quickly catch alight to clothing and bedding, with tragic consequences."
Source: BBC News |
Discarded cigarette guts home
18 August 2010
A family of six are lucky to have escaped unscathed after fire ripped through their home.
The blaze, caused by a discarded cigarette, gutted the upstairs floor of the semi-detached property in Beckhampton Road, Hamworthy.
The latest incident follows the tragedy five days ago of a man in his 60s who died in a Southborne flat fire also caused by a discarded cigarette.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service investigations officer Mike Cox said the outcome in Hamworthy could have been a lot worse had the house not been fitted with smoke alarms.
He said: “Early warning from the working smoke detectors allowed all the occupants to escape to safety.”
Around 25 firefighters tackled the blaze, after receiving multiple 999 calls at 10.25pm on Tuesday night.
Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus climbed a nine-metre ladder to get to the fire that started in a bedroom.
Mr Cox said: “When we arrived smoke and flames were coming out of the first floor bedroom window. The house was heavily involved in fire. Everyone was out of the property and crews managed to prevent the fire spreading to the roof space.”
One neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I saw lots of smoke and some flames.
“It must be a horrible feeling having your possessions destroyed, I really feel for them. But at least nobody was hurt, or killed.”
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is appealing to smokers to make sure matches, cigarettes and pipes are fully extinguished before going to bed.
Source: Bournemouth Echo |
Bournemouth man 'fell asleep with cigarette'
17 August 2010
A man who died in a fire in a block of flats in Dorset had fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette, the fire service has said.
Crews were called to a small fire in the ground floor flat in Stourwood Avenue, Springbourne, Bournemouth, in the early hours of Saturday.
They discovered the occupant already dead inside.
Mike Cox, a fire investigation officer, said "the gentleman had apparently been smoking and had... fallen asleep".
He added: "As a fire service, we can't say 'don't smoke' but we can say 'if you're going to smoke, please, please ensure that everything is extinguished into a suitable container before you go to bed or fall asleep'.
"In this case, the gentleman had apparently been smoking and had, we think, fallen asleep while it was still alight.
"It is such a sad loss of life and can be easily prevented with just a few seconds worth of preventative action.
"Residents were evacuating when we arrived, which is exactly the right thing to do.
"Smoke alarms are an early warning system and hardwired detectors [which were in the flat] are especially efficient.
"However, if the occupants are unable to respond to the alarms as in this case, if the fire is on or about their person, the best advice is still, and always will be to put it out - right out."
Source: BBC News |
Smouldering cigarette causes Surbiton garage fire
08 July 2010
A smouldering cigarette almost destroyed a Surbiton house on Monday, July 5 after a fire broke out in the garage and threatened to spread to the rest of the building.
No one was injured in the 10pm blaze in Cranborne Avenue, which took firefighters from Surbiton and New Malden five minutes to bring under control, but 80 per cent of the garage was damaged.
A fire service spokesman said: “The fire was caused by negligent smoking materials due to the cigarette not being put out. It had been smouldering for some time before they noticed and by that time it was too late for them to do anything about it because it had spread to the rest of the garage.
“It broke through the roof and at one point was in danger of damaging the house. It melted the guttering but we managed to get it under control. If it had happened a couple of hours later they would not have noticed.”
Firefighers said the occupants were lucky to escape without further damage as their house did not have a smoke alarm fitted, which could have detected the smoke through an open upstairs window.
The spokesman said: “We would recommend you fully extinguish any smoking materials and ash trays should be filled with water before you go to bed because that guarantees it is then extinguished.”
Source: Kingston Guardian
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Direct Response monitored alarm system prevents house fire
29 July 2010
A Direct Response Security monitored alarm system has prevented a house fire in Croydon, South London caused by a un-extinguished cigarette in a kitchen bin.
The householder, who only wishes to be identified as Mrs N., said she was speaking to a neighbour when she received a call from Cougar Monitoring, the company which provides 24 hour monitoring for Direct Response’s alarms, to say they had detected smoke in her property. She rushed back to her house to discover smoke coming from the bin in her kitchen, into which she had recently emptied an ashtray.
"Needless to say I was very shocked and managed to put it out with the first thing that came to hand – my cup of tea!" said Mrs N. "It was a good thing Direct Response’s system detected the fire so quickly, otherwise the fire might have quickly got out of hand."
[...]
Source: Journalism.co.uk
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Fireman has narrow escape after blaze fall
29 July 2010
A Fireman had a narrow escape after partly falling through floor boards during a blaze in a derelict house in Canning Town yesterday.
James Cooper of Plaistow's Blue Watch was unharmed in the incident in Hooper Road at around 3pm.
Blue Watch manager John Butten said: "The fireman was not injured as he was correctly following procedures by testing the floor boards as he entered the building."
The cause of the fire, which was attended by 12 fire fighters with some wearing breathing apparatus, is under investigation.
In an earlier incident in Edinburgh Court near Dundee Road, a maisonette suffered 50 per cent damage after it was believed the blaze was started by a burning cigarette.
A smoke alarm alerted a neighbour to the fire, which watch manager Butten said highlighted the importance of fitting a smoke alarm and closing internal doors when leaving a property.
Source: Stratford and Newham Express 24
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Fires in Swinley Forest
21 June 2010
Twoseparate undergrowth fires were reported in Swinley Forest yesterday (Sunday).
Firefighters from Bracknell Fire Station attended the first fire at 10.25am and the next at 4.15pm, each took about an hour to extinguish.
It is not known how either of the fires started, but crew manager Scott Pay said: "When it is dry it is important to smoke cigarettes sensibly and be vigilant."
Source: Bracknell News
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Fire alert over discarded cigarettes
11 June 2010
Firefighters in South Yorkshire have issued a warning about safely disposing of cigarette ends after a freak accident nearly caused a major fire in Barnsley.
Fire crews from Tankersley and Stocksbridge stations were called to Spring Row in Thurgoland just after midnight on Wednesday, after neighbours spotted smoke rising from the roof of a house currently undergoing building work.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: "The fire was caused after a neighbour accidentally flicked a discarded cigarette butt through an open skylight, which then landed on the roof of the property.
"The fire itself was very small, with the cigarette igniting some plastic sheeting used to cover the open roof during the building work.
"But firefighters say on another day the incident could have been far more serious."
Source: Yorkshire Post
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Blaze in Chester flat where man fell asleep smoking
08 June 2010
A fire is thought to have started after a man fell asleep while smoking at his Chester home.
A distressed neighbour alerted city firefighters to a blaze in a ground floor flat in Trafford Street, Newtown, at about 7.15pm on Saturday after he saw smoke billowing out of the property.
A 60-year-old man was still inside the flat when firefighters arrived and had already put out the fire.
Crew manager Dave Doneo said the fire had been caused by a lit cigarette which had fallen out of the man’s mouth when he fell asleep.
The flat was left partially smoke-logged and a fire safety assessment was later completed.
Mr Doneo said: “I would like to reiterate that smoking in your own premises is very dangerous. We urge people to ensure that they don’t smoke inside whilst they are tired and that people should extinguish their cigarettes in the sink by wetting them or putting them out correctly outside.
Source: Chester First
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Blaze tragedy of disabled smoker
04 June 2010
A bedridden woman died when her cigarette sparked a fire that ripped through her York home, an inquest heard.
The husband of 61-year-old Linda Winzar said he would regret his decision to let his wife smoke unsupervised for the rest of his life.
Mrs Winzar, a retired credit controller who had been left disabled by a series of strokes, died in the blaze at the couple’s semi-detached home in Huntington, on January 6 last year.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, York coroner Donald Coverdale issued a warning about the perils of smoking in bed.
He said: “What has occurred is a domestic accident of the most awful kind. The facts speak for themselves. Everybody needs to recognise that this scenario is the worst and most dreadful scenario that can occur following smoking in bed and it should be borne in mind by all those who smoke cigarettes.”
Mrs Winzar’s husband, Howard, told the inquest how he initially banned his wife from smoking unsupervised when she came home from hospital in 2007.
He said: “I made every attempt to persuade her to give up smoking all together, but unfortunately it was the passion of her life.
“She did improve by the beginning of 2008 and she persuaded me to allow her to have her cigarettes unsupervised. It’s a decision that I will regret for the rest of my life.”
Mr Winzar, 60, also revealed how a couple of months before her death, his wife’s bedding had caught fire while she was lighting a cigarette.
In a statement read out at the inquest, he said: “I was in the kitchen at the time. I looked towards the bed and saw flames from the blanket on the bed. I threw it on the floor and jumped on it.
“I noticed a burnt tissue next to it and assumed this had caught fire. I told Linda she must be more careful in future.”
The inquest heard how Mrs Winzar’s next door neighbour had raised the alarm at about 4.40pm on January 6 last year after hearing banging from inside her home.
Source: York Press
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Cig empties pub
27 May 2010
A group of drinkers spent an evening outside a pub to avoid the cigarette smoke when a discarded cig-end set the cellar on fire.
Some 15 drinkers had to be evacuated from the Ring O'Bells in Royston Road, Royston, when a stray lit cigarette butt led to flames in the barrel room.
Fire crews raced to the pub at 10.20pm and donned breathing apparatus to fight the blaze.
They spent 30 minutes at the scene, putting the fire out using hosereel jets.
A fire brigade spokesman told the Times it was believed the fire had started accidentally.
Source: South Yorkshire Times
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Foul play not suspected in fatal Mathews Way fire as inquest opens
03 June 2010
Arson has been formally ruled out of investigations into a fire at a block of flats in Mathews Way, Paganhill, which killed mother-of-three Jaqueline Nunn.
Speaking at the inquest opening in Shire Hall yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, June 2, coroner’s officer Paul Boak confirmed that ‘third party involvement’ in the blaze was not suspected.
He added that Jaqueline died due to fire fumes and gasses inhalation and that identification was carried out through forensic dental examinations.
A full inquest will now be carried out by Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore.
Jaqueline, 48, was the only fatality of the fire which ripped through a second floor flat in the block around 6pm on Wednesday, May 19.
Stroud College IT teacher Mark Leigh, who was with Jaqueline at the time, told the SNJ how the blaze was caused by a cigarette which set fire to a throw covering a sofa.
All 18 flats in the block were evacuated and residents have been told it may be as long as five more weeks before they are able to return due to severe smoke damage.
Source: Stroud News and Journal
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Midwife Annie Vaseer’s fire death was accidental
03 June 2010
The blaze which killed a retired midwife in her Paddock home was not deliberate, a coroner has ruled.
The inquest into the death of Annie Vaseer was halted last December following new claims that the fire was started on purpose.
But yesterday coroner Roger Whittaker found that Mrs Vaseer’s death was accidental, after he heard there was no evidence of foul play.
Following the Huddersfield hearing her family members said they were satisfied with the long-awaited verdict and paid tribute to the much-loved grandma.
Her niece Dr Jayne Hawkins said: “I think it was a tragic accident and I’m satisfied that the police have done a thorough investigation.
“She lived in a mainly Asian community, was well-liked and had no problems with anyone.”
Mrs Vaseer, known to friends and family as Anne, spent years as a midwife and delivered more than 1,000 babies at Huddersfield hospitals.
The inquest had heard that the 71-year-old died from injuries after a fire ripped through her terraced house on Beech Street.
The blaze started the hallway of the property on May 26.
Mrs Vaseer was rescued by four men who kicked in the door and dragged her still conscious on to the street.
The widow was taken to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield suffering 54% burns to her body, but sadly she died on June 1 after four operations.
West Yorkshire Fire Service said they believed the blaze was started by an unextinguished cigarette butt.
But her rescuers said Mrs Vaseer told them the fire had been deliberate.
Philip Callaghan said: “She said: ‘Someone’s set fire to my house’, She said that she had received threatening letters and had been to the police about it a week previously.”
Mr Whittaker adjourned the inquest to give police time to investigate the fresh evidence.
But police told the hearing at Huddersfield Coroners’ Court there was nothing suggesting anyone had wanted to harm Mrs Vaseer.
Det Insp Andy Garnett, from Kirklees CID, said: “I’ve examined the diary and writings of Mrs Vaseer. I found nothing in these documents which led me to believe that there were suspicious circumstances or Mrs Vaseer was a victim of harassment.
“There’s nothing to suggest Mrs Vaseer contacted the police in response to harassment or disorder around where she lived.”
Mr Whittaker said he was satisfied that Mrs Vaseer’s death was accidental.
He said: “I’m satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances nor third party involvement.
“In my view this was an accidental ignition caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette by a person who had consumed quite a large amount of alcohol.
“This was a tragic accident and I’m sure it will take (the family) a long time to get over what’s happened.”
Speaking to the Examiner members of Mrs Vaseer’s family paid tribute to her community spirit as well as the team of ‘heroes’ who battled to save her.
Her sister Margaret Hawkins said: “She was a well-respected member of her community and used to teach English to some of the children of the families who lived there.
“She was very family orientated and a very dedicated midwife.
“We would like to thank the people who came to her help during the fire, they were heroes and did their best to help her and preserve her dignity in this very tragic incident.”
Source: Huddersfield Examiner
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‘Smoking materials’ blamed for fatal blaze
16 May 2010
A fire that left one man dead and a woman injured was “most likely caused by smoking materials”, an investigation has found.
As reported in The Gazette, a 60-year-old man, named locally as James Green and believed to be partially sighted, died when a fire ripped through the lounge of a semi-detached home in St Patrick’s Road, South Ham, on Friday, May 7.
Firefighters managed to rescue a woman in her 60s, who has not yet been named. As The Gazette went to press, she was in a “stable” condition at Basingstoke hospital after suffering smoke inhalation .
A fire investigation was carried out on Saturday morning and the police have ruled out foul play.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue group manager Jerry Leonard said: “The initial attending crews were quickly made aware that two persons were trapped.
“Rescues were very quickly carried out due to the firefighters’ very determined efforts and the occupants were handed over to the ambulance service. Hard work ensured that damage was limited to one room.”
He added: “This was a preventable tragedy and we will continue to work with people to prevent further incidents of this kind.”
Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 10.15pm last Friday after smoke set off a detector in the kitchen connected to the CommuniCare lifeline system. Social services then called for help.
A police spokesman told The Gazette that formal identification of the dead man is unlikely to take place before the end of this week.
Source: This is Hampshire
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Remembering the Bradford City Stadium fire
11 May 2010
The blaze that engulfed an antiquated wooden stand at the Valley Parade ground on 11 May, 1985 claimed 56 lives and injured more than 200 people.
It is thought the fire - during a match between Bradford City and Lincoln City - was caused when a match or cigarette stub in a polystyrene cup was accidentally dropped on to rubbish underneath the terraces.
The link below has an audio file telling the story of what happened, using archive reports from BBC Radio and match commentary from Pennine Radio.
Source: BBC News
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Mum, 59, dies after Baildon house blaze
2 April 2010
A village is in shock after a blaze believed to have been caused by a burning cigarette ravaged a woman’s home, killing the 59-year-old mum.
The woman, named locally as Sandra Barstow, was found unconscious in her bedroom after firefighters battered down her front door.
They tried in vain to revive her at the scene of the blaze in Collier Lane, Baildon, but she died later after reaching Airedale Hospital.
Her next door neighbour, an elderly man, called the emergency services when he saw smoke pouring from the house.
He told the T&A yesterday: “I was upstairs and smelled smoke and I thought something was burning downstairs in my house.
“When I went downstairs and opened the door, there was smoke coming from next door. I called for help and the firemen smashed through the front door.”
The man, who did not want to be named, said: “I’m just still in a state of shock and I haven’t slept.”
Firefighters from Shipley, Bingley and Idle rushed to the scene at just before midnight on Wednesday. A crew of six wearing breathing apparatus went through the front door.
After checking inside they found Mrs Barstow, who is understood to have three grown-up children, unconscious in her bedroom.
More firefighters went through the side door of the large semi-detached house to help dowse the flames.
A West Yorkshire Fire Service spokesman confirmed the fire had been started by a discarded cigarette.
Scorch marks from the flames were still visible around an upstairs window and the front door had been boarded up yesterday.
Watch manager Alan Holdsworth, of Shipley fire station, said the blaze was “under investigation” but added that no smoke alarms had been fitted at the house.
Baildon Lib Dem Councillor John Cole, said: “I want to express my sympathies to the family. It is tragic that anyone should die in such terrible circumstances.”
Conservative Councillor Roger L’Amie added: “I am genuinely sorry and shocked that this accident has happened. It must be a difficult time for friends and family.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said initial investigations showed there were “no suspicious circumstances.”
Source: Telegraph and Argus
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House blaze caused by man 'smoking in bed'
25 March 2010
Fire chiefs have warned of the dangers of smoking in bed following a fire at a second floor flat in St Peter Street, Tiverton.
Two fire engines from Tiverton were sent to a report of fire alarms and a smell of smoke shortly before 1.30am last Wednesday.
Damage was isolated to the bedroom, where the bed had caught fire, but occupants from two other flats in the building had to be evacuated by police as a safety precaution.
The crews used breathing apparatus and one hose reel at the fire.
A man suffering smoke inhalation was removed from the property and treated with oxygen by fire service personnel before being left in the care of ambulance staff.
Firefighter Les Rendell said: "We believe the man was smoking in bed, which I would like to remind people is very dangerous."
Source: This is Plymouth
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Firefighters Back MP's Call for Safer Cigarettes
23 March 2010
The Fire Brigades Union threw its weight behind the early day motion calling on the government to legislate for fire safety in cigarette design, which was tabled today by Andrew Dismore MP.
"This simple piece of legislation could save 100 lives every year" said FBU assistant general secretary Andy Dark. "Cigarette fires are the biggest cause of fire-related deaths in the home. In 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 82 deaths, 1,064 injuries and 3,000 fires per year in accidental home fires were caused by smoking materials, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. Every three days someone dies in a fire caused by a cigarette. Safer cigarettes will not eliminate the danger, but will decrease it by ensuring that cigarettes go out if left burning."
Mr Dismore's Early Day Motion is:
"That this House welcomes the Finnish government's call for the UK and the European Union to legislate for fire safety standards in cigarettes; remains concerned that every three days in the UK someone dies in a house fire caused by a cigarette; recalls that in the last year for which there are statistics, 2005, 82 deaths, 1,064 injuries and 3,000 fires were caused by smoking materials in the home; observes that reduced ignition propensity, or fire safer, cigarettes utilise ultra thin concentric bands in the cigarette paper to restrict oxygen to the burning end of the cigarette; regards fire safer cigarettes as an appropriate response to the persistent fire safety threat posed by conventional cigarettes; congratulates the RIP Coalition and the Fire Brigades Union for their existing work on fire safer cigarettes; and calls upon the government to take action to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and properties damaged from cigarettes through legislation on fire safety in cigarette design."
Source: Benzinga
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Fire at office caused by cigarette
23 March 2010
A discarded cigarette set fire to an office building in Maidenhead yesterday.
Two crews from Maidenhead fire and one from Slough attended the fire at 29 Broadway shortly before 2pm.
Maidenhead watch manager Alex Strand said a casually discarded cigarette was to blame.
Some damage was done to the outer cladding of the building as the fire spread from a flower bed.
Crews cordoned off Broadway between Queen Street and Park Street for half an hour and traffic was diverted.
Source: Maidenhead Advertiser
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Smoker injured in blaze after falling asleep on toilet following night out
15 March 2010
A man set fire to his trousers when he fell asleep while smoking a cigarette on the toilet after a night out.
The man, believed to be in his 40s, who had been drinking, awoke to find his trousers on fire burning his legs - but he simply removed them and put them in the sink.
He then fell back to sleep leaving the trousers burning in the sink.
It was only when the smoke alarm starting sounding at around 5.18am yesterday that his wife realised what had happened and called the fire brigade.
Crews from Barnsley attended at the house on Doncaster Road, Kendray, and ensured all members of the family were evacuated safely.
The man was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital by ambulance for treatment for the burns to his legs.
Crew manager Steve Jones said: "Scenarios like this show how important it is not to smoke while under the influence of drink or drugs."
The warning comes as a pensioner was found slumped unconscious in her lounge by firefighters after a carelessly discarded cigarette is believed to have sparked a blaze.
Firefighters went into the burning flat after the alarm was raised by a passer-by who spotted smoke.
The woman, aged in her 70s, was carried out of her flat on William Street, Broomhall, and taken to hospital at 1.45pm yesterday.
District manager Dick Hutton, of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, said: " This was a very lucky escape.
"I have no doubt that were it not for the swift actions of the passer-by who raised the alarm, our control staff and our firefighters on the scene, this woman would have been killed.
"I am delighted the woman has been saved, but this is tempered with disappointment at yet another smoking-related fire.
"Coming within days of National No Smoking Day, I want to remind the public once again to be careful with all sources of ignition and in particular cigarettes, which are the single biggest cause of deaths in accidental house fires in South Yorkshire."
Fire bosses have revealed six South Yorkshire people have died in house fire caused by smoking in the past six years.
Steve Makepeace, the fire service's head of community safety, said: "Smoking remains the single biggest killer in accidental house fires, but nearly all of these deaths can be avoided by following some basic some simple rules.
"For example, never smoke in bed, never leave a lit cigarette unattended, always ensure that cigarettes are put out properly and keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
"Throughout March, we will be offering specialist fire safety advice to smokers, whilst supporting the NHS' own activities aimed at helping smokers to quit, which is the surest way of reducing the risk of fire."
Smoking remains the single biggest killer in accidental house fires.
Source: Sheffield Telegraph
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Warning to smokers warned after third Sheffield fire
26 February 2010
Fire chiefs have re-issued a warning about lighting up at home after attending the third smoking-related fire in Sheffield in a week.
A woman was taken to hospital after a fire at her flat on Saturday, thought to have been caused by a cigarette.
On Monday a man suffered burns after falling asleep while smoking and part of a house in Stannington was destroyed in a separate fire on Tuesday.
The fire service has started a campaign to reduce smoking-related incidents.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the woman, who is in her 70s, was found unconscious in her flat at Exeter Place in the Broomhall area of the city.
'Disappointment'
The alarm was raised after smoke was seen coming from her fourth-floor home.
The service's district manager Dick Hutton, said: "I have no doubt that were it not for the swift actions of the passer-by who raised the alarm, our control staff and our firefighters on the scene, this woman would have been killed.
"I am delighted the woman has been saved, but this is tempered with disappointment at yet another smoking-related fire.
"I want to remind the public once again to be careful with all sources of ignition and in particular cigarettes, which are the single biggest cause of deaths in accidental house fires in South Yorkshire."
Source: BBC News
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Fire warning to smokers
10 March 2010
Smokers are being warned by firefighters about the fire risk their habit could pose as part of No Smoking Day today.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the event by issuing the warning that careless smoking can have serious consequences.
Statistics show more people die in fires caused by smoking materials than any other type of accidental fire in the home.
The most common causes of smoking-related fires are falling asleep while smoking, leaving a burning cigarette unattended and accidentally dropping a cigarette or hot ash.
Tips to protect you and your family include making sure your cigarette is properly extinguished, never leaving lit cigarettes unattended, never smoking in bed and using a proper ash tray.
Jane Weller, community safety officer for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It is also vital to protect yourself and your family by fitting smoke alarms in your home.
“Working smoke alarms make you more than twice as likely to survive an accidental house fire – without them you lose valuable time to escape.
“Make sure they are in good working order by checking the batteries every week.
“Fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials can have devastating consequences so when it comes to extinguishing them, make sure you ‘put it out, right out’.”
Source: Get Wokingham
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Cigarette starts fire in bed
26 February 2010
Fire officials have issued a safety warning after attending a blaze started by smoking in bed.
Crews were called to the fire off Charter Way in Wells at 3.45am on Sunday morning. The blaze was attended by engines from Wells and Glastonbury.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: "The cause of the fire was due to the occupier smoking in bed. There was severe fire damage to the bed, mattress and bed clothes, and severe smoke damage to the bedroom and three other rooms."
Source: This is Dorset
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Smoke alarm warning after bin blaze
25 February 2010
A husband and wife needed treatment for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a bin at their home.
Fire chiefs have repeated safety warnings about fitting smoke alarms following the alert at the house in Stokeinteignhead.
Crews were called to a house at Pool Weir after the fire broke out in a bin in the bedroom. Although a smoke alarm was fitted downstairs, the property did not have one on the first floor.
Watch commander Gary Holland stressed the importance of having one fitted on each floor so fires can be dealt with quickly.
One fire crew from Teignmouth went to the incident at the house on Tuesday at 5.35pm.
Watch commander Holland said: "We received a report that there had been a fire but was believed to have been put out and we needed to go to check it was safe.
"A woman in the house had been smoking a cigarette in the bedroom and had put it out in a bin.
"The bin had caught fire. Her husband had come upstairs and put the fire out.
"His wife was suffering from shock and he was suffering from slight smoke inhalation.
"It was nothing too serious but we gave them oxygen and an ambulance was called, just to check them over."
He said the house did have a working smoke alarm downstairs but there was not one upstairs.
He said: "People need to make sure they have a smoke alarm fitted on each floor of their property.
"We stayed and fitted one for them."
Source: This is South Devon
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Fire in Camden Town hostel leaves man fighting for life
25 February 2010
A 60-year-old man is fighting for his life in hospital after a blaze ripped through his room at a Camden Town hostel for the homeless.
At around 7.30pm yesterday (February 24), Arlington House, on Arlington Road had to be evacuated after a fire started in one of the resident's rooms. Camden Police, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene. All other residents were safely led out of the building.
The blaze comes in the same week that a pensioner died from extensive burns in a care home in Gospel Oak. He reportedly set himself on fire after smoking a cigarette.
The Arlington House blaze is not being treated as suspicious by the police. Although the cause is not yet known police told the Ham&High early investigations suggest it was an "accident".
The elderly victim was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital. He remains in a critical condition and according to police he will suffer from life changing injuries. The flames were contained to one room, and no other residents or members of the staff were injured. All of them were allowed to re-enter the building when the fire brigade judged it was safe.
Police and LFB are still investigating on the exact cause of the blaze.
On Tuesday former residents of Arlington House John Chaproniere and Stephen Coster, both 29 were sentenced to imprisonment at Blackfriars Crown on February 23 for trying to torch the building in June 2008 while 100 occupants lay asleep in bed.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed Thursday's fire or can provide information to call Camden police on 0300 123 1212.
Source: Ham&High24
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Firefighters tackle office fire
08 February 2010
Firefighters tackled a blaze in Green Lane, Goodmayes last night.
The fire sparked underneath floorboards in an office above a shop, around 9.50pm.
No one was in the office at the time and residents living in flats nearby left their homes by the time a crew from Ilford fire station arrived.
It is thought the blaze may have been started by a carelessly disposed cigarette.
Source: Ilford Recorder
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Fire-safe cigarette delay 'costing lives'
06 February 2010
Anti-smoking campaigners say lives will be lost because of a delay in bringing in new self-extinguishing cigarettes.
So-called fire-safe cigarettes burn out quickly when dropped, meaning they are less likely to cause fires in the home.
They were due to be introduced across the EU later this year, but work on developing an EU standard is running at least six months behind schedule.
Deborah Arnott, of anti-smoking group Ash, said the cigarettes would mean a "significant decline" in fire deaths.
More than 100 people die in the UK every year from fires caused by cigarettes which are dropped or discarded without being extinguished.
Fire-safe cigarettes, which have barriers of flame-proof paper, meaning they burn themselves out, are already the only kind on sale in most US states and in Canada and Australia.
The 27 EU member states gave the go-ahead in November 2007 for self-extinguishing cigarettes to be introduced.
Ms Arnott said they should be introduced by manufacturers across the EU immediately.
She added: "If they were, then basically we should see a significant decline in the number of smoking-related fires. These fires kill at least one person a day in Europe."
Christopher Ogden, from the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, said such urgency would not be practical.
"If the manufacturers introduced these new cigarettes in the European market, only to be told a few months later 'No, no, that's not the standard, we want this standard', then they'd have to go through the whole process of changing the project design all over again," he said.
"So we can't make the move until we have certainty."
Source: BBC News
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Scotland: Fire service and NHS team up to prevent fires caused by smoking
05 February 2010
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue have teamed up with the NHS to encourage people to stop smoking in an initiative jointly aimed at cutting fires and improving people's health.
From Friday, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue officers who visit homes to offer fire safety advice will also hand a NHS smoking-cessation pack to householders where it is deemed relevant. The fire service has launched the scheme in partnership with NHS Health Scotland.
Lewis Ramsay, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s Assistant Chief Officer of Community Safety, said: "Fire does discriminate and a number of lifestyle choices including smoking feature regularly as contributory factors in serious house fires, many of which involve fatal or non-fatal casualties.
"Health and fire issues are inextricably linked and I am very pleased indeed to work closely with NHS Health Scotland in this innovative campaign. I am confident that our approach will be effective and look forward to monitoring progress over coming months."
The fire service delivers around 10,000 free Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) across the Strathclyde region each year. Under the new scheme fire officers themselves will not offer health advice, but will be able to direct smokers to Smokeline, NHS Health Scotland's freephone smoking cessation advice line.
All fire stations will be issued with supplies of the Smokeline promotional card, a passive smoking leaflet, and smoking cessation posters for use in Home Fire Safety Visits and community safety talks.
Andrew Harris, Health Improvement Programme Manager for tobacco at NHS Health Scotland, also welcomed the partnership. He said: "Smoking currently causes more than 13,000 deaths each year in Scotland. Second hand smoke in the home is also a major health risk, especially for young children.
"So when you consider that cigarettes also cause so many house fires, it makes a lot of sense for health services and fire services to work together to encourage people to stop smoking.
"NHS Health Scotland is delighted to be working with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to encourage thousands of households to go smoke free."
Source: STV
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Neighbours' upset over Hull blaze couple
05 February 2010
Neighbours of an elderly couple pulled from their smoke-filled home have spoken of their upset.
Gordon and Peggy Scott, of Arcon Drive, west Hull, were rescued at 8.30pm on Wednesday. Today, the couple – both in their 80s – remained in hospital with "life-threatening" injuries.
After initial treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary, they were taken to a specialist burns unit at Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield.
Margaret Hudson, 59, who lives next door to the couple, said: "I could smell the smoke and some of it creeping into my home. I went to the door and saw all the firefighters. It was quite dramatic. It was all a bit of a shock and I was concerned for my home."
Another neighbour, Javeda Qazi, was left in shock by the incident. She said: "They are a very nice couple and it's so sad. There was nothing outside to suggest there was anything wrong. I think they were asleep at the time and the firefighters had to break in to gain access. The firefighters did very well to get them out. I provided blankets and Mr Scott wasn't breathing at first and both of them were very burnt. When I went to sleep I kept picturing it all."
Another neighbour, who didn't wish to be named, said: "When I saw the firefighters I ran out. The fire crews certainly did their job and were on the ball. Most of us had no idea what was happening."
A spokesman for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said: "It looks like the cause was accidental, caused by discarded cigarette smoking materials."
The couple live in Hull City Council-run sheltered accommodation.
A council spokeswoman said: "Our first thoughts are with the couple. The cause of the fire has been investigated by the police and fire services and we are doing everything we can to support them."
Source: This is Hull |
Leeds: Boys taken to hospital after blaze
26 January 2010
Two boys, aged five and seven, were taken to hospital following a house fire in Leeds this morning.
Crews from Morley and Batley tackled the fire, which broke out in the bedroom of a house on Worrall Street.
They used one hose reel, two breathing apparatus and a high-powered fan to clear the house of smoke.
A smoke alarm was fitted but did not have a battery, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
The fire is said to have started when the children's father fell asleep with a cigarette.
The boys suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital by ambulance.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 4.30am. They urged that anyone without a smoke alarm should call their hotline on 0800 587 4536.
Source: Yorkshire Evening Post |
Chester: Discarded cigarette sparks house blaze
12 January 2010
A carelessly discarded cigarette had been smouldering for up to 12 hours before triggering a house blaze.
A resident in Morton Road, Blacon, returned from the pub about 10.50pm on Sunday (January 10) to find his house filled with smoke and the sofa destroyed by fire.
Fortunately, the blaze had burnt itself out due to lack of oxygen because the house was so well sealed.
It is believed the cigarette had been discarded by the man’s mother, who also lives at the property, the day before, prior to her going to stay with friends.
The man was initially agitated in case his mother had returned home and was in the smoke-filled house.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the property but there was no-one at home. A powerful fan was used to ventilate the property. There was smoke damage to the entire house.
Watch manager Chris Rodaway of Chester Fire Station said had the fire still been smouldering when the householder opened the front door, there would have been the danger of a flash-over explosion.
There were fire alarms fitted but neighbours had not heard them sounding.
Source: Chester Chronicle |
Family flees blaze caused by cigarette
12 January 2010
A FAMILY had a lucky escape when a discarded cigarette caused a blaze which destroyed a bedroom.
Grandmother Jacqueline Mayer had emptied an ashtray into a bin and left her room to take her morning shower when the fire started.
When the 55-year-old smelled smoke minutes later, she returned to the bedroom to find the blaze had already taken hold.
Her husband John fetched water to try to extinguish the flames, but it was too late.
Mrs Mayer said: "I was only gone about four minutes. When I opened the bedroom door the flames were already going up the wall. I had a curtain covering the wardrobe and that had gone up. It was awful.
"It was unbelievable how fast it spread – if we'd gone out somewhere we would've lost the whole house."
Mrs Mayer's 12-year-old granddaughter, Kimberley Mayer, and son Anthony's partner, Kelly Hughes, were downstairs when the fire broke out, at around 10.15am on Saturday.
Everyone was safely out of the Aspire Housing-owned property, in Gilbert Close in Kidsgrove, when firefighters arrived to tackle the blaze.
There were two smoke alarms fitted in the house, but only one was working.
Mrs Mayer's bedroom was gutted, and smoke damage caused to the whole of the upstairs.
She said: "Every single item of clothing I had has gone. I've had to beg, borrow and steal so I've got something to wear. My bag was in there and the heat melted my purse.
"Aspire have been good and offered to put us up in a hotel, but we would rather stay here and get the place sorted out.
"We're living downstairs and waiting for someone to come round and assess the damage."
Mrs Mayer's son Scott and his partner Michelle Lightfoot also live at the house. Scott, aged 31, said: "I was out at the time and came back to see the fire engine and firefighters in my mum's bedroom. All sorts of things were going on in my mind. I was so relieved that everyone was OK."
Mrs Mayer, who has lived in the house for 25 years, said she will dispose of her cigarettes more carefully from now on. She said: "This has certainly been a wake-up call. It's scary how fast the fire got going, and I would tell other people to be careful. We're just really lucky nobody was hurt."
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service also warned smokers of the dangers of causing fires in their homes.
Station manager Mick Daniels said: "Tobacco is designed to stay lit, so cigarettes and cigars can easily start an accidental fire, especially if you are tired, not alert or have been drinking alcohol. We would urge smokers to either kick the habit altogether, smoke outside their property or ensure they always extinguish their cigarettes properly, especially last thing at night.
"Had this fire occurred during the hours of darkness then the outcome may well have been different."
Source: The Sentinel
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MSP calls for Scotland to lead way on fire-safe cigarettes
09 January 2010
A campaign to ensure Scotland becomes the first European country to introduce new cigarettes to reduce the number of fire deaths has been given a boost.
SNP backbencher Stewart Maxwell said he hoped the news that 11 US states had passed legislation for fire-safe cigarettes would strengthen the case for a new law in this country.
He said the European Commission was “shamefully lagging behind” in the development of an agreed European standard, and called on the UK Government to help in speeding up the process.
All eight of Scotland’s fire and rescue services and the Fire Brigades Union support the introduction of reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes.
As they burn slower, it takes longer for fire to take hold if they are dropped on a bed or sofa.
Mr Maxwell, who has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament welcoming the action taken in the US, estimates the cigarettes could save about 10 lives a year. More than 40% of 73 fire deaths across Scotland in 2007-08 were attributed to smoking materials.
Mr Maxwell, a West of Scotland MSP and former sports minister, said: “Fires started by cigarettes are the biggest cause of fire-related deaths in the home.
“American states have been leading the way on this legislation.
“The state of Vermont introduced such legislation in 2005 to ensure that all cigarettes were fire-safe.
“The results were dramatic, with no fire deaths being attributed to cigarettes in 2007 and 2008.”
Source: The Press and Journal |
Fire safety 'ignorance' concern after Dolgellau blaze
21 December 2009
Ignorance of basic fire safety will continue to claim lives, says a fire officer after a woman was taken to hospital early on Monday morning.
The woman, in her 70s, and her husband were woken by the smell of smoke at their property in Dolgellau, Gwynedd.
The fire appears to have been started by a discarded cigarette.
North Wales fire service said it was frustrating "to attend yet another incident where the occupants showed a blatant disregard for fire safety".
It follows a fire in Flint last weekend when a 75-year-old man was taken to hospital in another smoking-related incident.
In the latest blaze at Upperfield Street, the woman was given oxygen therapy at the scene then taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Glyn Jones, of North Wales fire service, said: "There were no working smoke alarms in the property - it is through sheer luck that the residents were awoken by the smell of smoke.
"The residents also tried to tackle the fire themselves. Our advice is to get out, stay out and call the fire and rescue service out.
"What we saw in the incident this morning is the failure of smokers to take responsibility of discarding their cigarettes carefully. This can put their lives and the lives of their loved ones at risk."
Last year in Wales, 13 people died and 10 people a month were injured in smoking-related home fires.
Many happen at night when people fall asleep or smoke in bed, and furniture or fabrics are set alight.
"It is vital to make sure all smoking materials are put out safely, especially before bedtime," said Mr Jones.
Source: BBC News |
Bed-bound pensioner escapes house fire in Flint with his life
14 December 2009
A bed-bound pensioner was lucky to escape with his life after being carried to safety by firefighters as a blaze tore through a downstairs bedroom.
Ronald Jones, 75, managed to roll out of bed and onto the floor as fire gutted the room at the semi-detached room on Albert Avenue, Flint, on Saturday afternoon but suffered serious burns before being rescued.
The smoke claimed the life of one of Mr Jones two dogs, a Yorkshire terrier called Mizzi. His other pet, a Yorkshire terrier-chihuahua cross breed called Lucky, is still poorly.
Last night Mr Jones was being treated at Whiston hospital, Merseyside, which has a specialist burns unit.
Fire officers are now investigating if the blaze was caused by Mr Jones smoking near oxygen inhalation equipment in the bedroom, and issued a warning on its dangers.
Neighbours, who spotted the smoke, tried to get in and rescue Mr Jones through the front door of the house but were not able to reach him.
They alerted the fire service, who sent engines from Deeside and Flint to extinguish the fire and carry the former JCB and lorry driver to safety.
At the time Mr Jones’ carer, grandson Jonathon Jones, was at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, after his fiancée Tanya went into labour for their first child Leon, who was born later that night.
Mr Jones was first taken to the Countess, where Jonathon saw him, and then was transferred to Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, with 14% burns to his arms and throat.
Yesterday at the fire ravaged house, Jonathon told how he thought his granddad wasn’t going to pull through when he saw him, and the damage to his bedroom.
“I just couldn’t believe he had got out alive,” said the 26-year-old. “I had moved in eight to 10 weeks ago to look after my granddad. He has serious problems breathing and is in hospital for weeks when he gets a chest infection. I had gone up to the Countess of Chester Hospital, my fiancée was having contractions.
“My elder brother Damien had gone round to make sure grandad was okay and had made him a cup of tea, but had briefly left him to pick up his baby. It must have been literally just minutes later the fire broke out.
“I was already at the Countess of Chester when they brought him up, I honestly didn’t think he‘d make it. But he is tough as old boots and has already survived two strokes, he’s like a cat with nine lives, although I think he will be in hospital for a good couple of months.
“And then later on Tanya gave birth to Leon at 7lbs 2oz, it was a hell of a day.”
Terry Williams of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are once again highlighting the dangers of smoking in bedrooms, and having naked flames near oxygen equipment.
“The investigation is still ongoing and the gentleman is thankfully in a stable condition at Whiston Hospital.”
Source: Daily Post |
Woman rescued from cigarette fire
03 November 2009
A woman is recovering in hospital after being rescued by Kent firefighters from a blaze caused by a cigarette.
Neighbours alerted emergency services after spotting smoke coming from the terraced home of Edwina Nixon, 45, in Station Road, Whitstable.
Ms Nixon's partner Steve Stubbs arrived just before firefighters and was able to rescue their dog, but smoke prevented him getting back in.
She was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene by paramedics.
The dog called Joe, which was found unconscious, was revived with oxygen therapy after the rescue on Monday evening.
"The fire crews had Edwina out within seconds," said Mr Stubbs. "I know Edwina and Joe could have died if it hadn't been for them."
A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the fire started when Ms Nixon fell asleep while smoking, setting fire to the sofa.
"This sends out a really important warning to others about the dangers of smoking and not disposing of cigarettes carefully," said Whitstable watch manager David Nolan. "If it hadn't been for the neighbour, we could easily have been dealing with a fatality.
Source: BBC News
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£20,000 blaze after man forgot to raise alarm
26 october 2009
A man who lived like a "hermit" inside a cupboard at his flat panicked and fled without raising the alarm when he woke to find the room ablaze, a court heard.
Alan Harrison, aged 38, had been suffering from a mental illness that caused him to retreat to the cupboard. It also led him to turn his television to face the wall because he was scared of monsters coming out of it.
Sheffield Crown Court heard he had fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette and accidentally started a fire in the cupboard. When he awoke to find the flames instead of raising the alarm he "panicked" and fled the flat. Various combustible items kept in the cupboard - including bicycle tyres - caught fire and the flames spread around the property. The damage caused totalled £20,000.
Harrison, of Sitwell Flats, Shortbrook Way, Westfield, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage. The court heard that while in custody on remand he had received treatment for his condition and medication was now keeping his problems under control.
Sentencing him to a three year community supervision order, Judge Alan Goldsack QC said: "Your medical situation is fortunately stable today, but it is vital you keep up your medication."
Source: Sheffield Telegraph
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Smoking material causes house fire
8 october 2009
A family of eight have been forced out of their home after a terrifying blaze engulfed the dining room and kitchen.
Roberta Parker and her children returned to their house on Clayway, Ely, on Tuesday night to find fire engines outside and smoke billowing from the windows and doors.
The 36-year-old single mum had been at a party with her family at around 8pm when she received a frantic phone call from her daughter's boyfriend, Charlie Oakley.
Mr Oakley, 16, was having a bath upstairs when the blaze broke out and luckily, the fire alarm sounded.
He rushed downstairs to find the dining room and kitchen area filled with thick, black smoke.
Speaking to the News, he said: "It was really thick and was spreading quickly.
"I was by myself and didn't have a phone so quickly ran next door to get them to call 999.
"It was scary as the flames just seemed to be taking over the house.
"It has damaged everything inside and things could have been so much worse if everyone was here at the time."
Crews from Ely and Littleport arrived at the property at 8.15pm and the fire was eventually brought under control at 10am the next day.
The fire service said the blaze was started by "carelessly discarded smoking material".
Mr Oakley added: "I don't smoke so I don't know where the cigarette came from.
"It certainly started near the sofa in the dining room though."
The inferno caused extensive damage to the kitchen, dining room and hall, and left the rest of the house smoke damaged.
A dog and two pet birds were also rescued from the flames.
The family were having alternative accommodation arranged for them yesterday (Wednesday, 07 October).
Mrs Parker, whose children are aged 5 to 19, said: "Things could have been so much worse.
"What matters is that nobody has been hurt and that Charlie was able to escape.
"Clothes and other things that have been ruined don't really matter."
Clive Allen, watch manager at Littleport fire station, said: "A male occupant was upstairs when the fire broke out but was able to escape safely due to the early warning given by the smoke alarm.
"This is why it is so essential to have a smoke alarm fitted in your home and why we encourage people to check it is working once a week.
"I would repeat the warning that anyone smoking in a home should always make sure they have extinguished their cigarette, cigar or other smoking material fully before they leave it."
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Hero taxi driver saves OAP from Castle Vale blaz
1 october 2009
A pensioner had a lucky escape thanks to a quick-thinking taxi driver who rescued him from his burning home.
John Stone, aged 80, was trapped when a blaze started in the kitchen of his house in Morar Close, Castle Vale.
But fortunately hero taxi driver John Papageorge was dropping off John’s wife Diane at the time.
As the 54-year old employee of Plaza Cars helped to unload his passenger’s shopping bags at about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon, he noticed the flames and ran in to rescue Mr Stone.
The father-of-three, from Hodge Hill, said: “I had picked Diane up from the Co-op in Erdington and took her home. I was helping to unload the shopping bags at the back door when we noticed flames coming out of the window.
“Diane was panicking because she knew her grandson and husband were in the house so I dropped the bags and went in. I saw the grandson running out but I couldn’t see John and it was thick with smoke.
“I got a bucket and was putting out the fire but I kept going in and out because I couldn’t breathe. I kept coming out for air.
“By the fourth time I saw him but he was just standing still and wouldn’t move - he was confused and in shock. In the end I had to push him to the ground and drag him out. I then carried on putting out the fire.”
Mr Papageorge who has been a taxi driver for eight years, said: “It was a bit scary because I couldn’t really see but I didn’t stop to think - I knew I had to get him out. Another few minutes and I fear it would have been a different story, so I am glad I could help.”
Firefighters arrived at the scene soon after and gave oxygen to the pensioner, who was today in Good Hope Hospital.
Erdington fire station watch commander Paddy Lynch said: “Mr Stone is really lucky that the fire happened just as the taxi pulled up to the house.
“It appears as though Mr Stone was quite disorientated and unable to get out but luckily for him Mr Papageorge persisted and was able to get him out.”
Firefighters believe the blaze was caused by a cigarette.
Soiurce: Birmingham Mail
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Woman wakes up to blazing pyjamas
22nd June 2009
A woman woke up to find her pyjamas on fire after she fell asleep while smoking.
Sue Kane, of The Croft in Harpsden Road, Henley, suffered first degree burns to eight per cent of her body and could be scarred for life after dozing off at home on Monday afternoon with a cigarette still lit.
Smoke from the fire gutted her bedroom and the blaze was so hot it melted an alarm clock and destroyed her bed. Her husband Neil said: “We have a smoke alarm but Sue was actually woken up but the pain in her chest — her top was on fire.
“I went in and tried to put out the flames but I couldn’t. I phoned the fire service and an ambulance and was calling for Sue to get out but she was desperately trying to bathe her wounds because she was in so much pain. In the end I convinced her to get out.”
Mrs Kane was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and treated for burns and smoke inhalation. She now has to wear pressure bandages to reduce the chance of infection.
She said: “My wounds are very painful. I have to get them re-dressed and the doctors will look then.”
Mr Kane added: “It could have been so much worse. It is very dangerous to smoke in bed and I don’t think people should do it. At the very least, they should make sure their cigarette is properly stubbed out before going to sleep. Sue is okay but still a bit shocked.”
A Government campaign called Fire Kills Put It Out, Right Out was launched last year to show how easily fires can start from a cigarette and how quickly they can spread — often with tragic results.
More people die in smoking material-related fires than any other. Nearly a third of all households in England include a smoker and these are nearly 35 per cent more likely to have a fire than non-smoking homes.
Source: Henley Standard
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Smoke alarm probe after man, 60, dies in blaze caused by discarded cigarette
12 June 2009
Investigations are underway after a “lonely, frail” man died in a house fire last Thursday.
Sixty-year-old Joe McPadden was well known by neighbours for sitting outside on his steps chatting to passers-by. He died in his ground-floor flat in Arran Walk, off Essex Road, sometime before 8am, one day after returning from a week in hospital.
Fire investigators believe the blaze began in the living room through a discarded cigarette. Mr McPadden was found unconscious in the property. Homes for Islington, who run the building said there were no fire alarms in the block, but that all new residents were given a welcome pack with a smoke alarm that they could fit.
It is not known if Mr McPadden, who neighbours described as “frail and vulnerable” and who lived in a specially adapted flat, had been able to fit his own alarm. One neighbour, who asked not to be named said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. That was a time-bomb waiting to go off. He couldn’t look after himself, he used to get the neighbours to get him bits and pieces. He had no fire alarm. He came out from hospital and they just put him back there.”
She added: “He was getting on, old, frail, vulnerable and very lonely. He constantly wanted company. He would wait for people to come and get him things from the shops. He was too sick to be able to do anything. I’d bring him milk and cigarettes. He would do his utmost to keep you talking because he was so lonely.”
Another neighbour, who used to bring Mr McPadden his daily newspaper, said: “He was a lovely man. He didn’t deserve to die like that. He was always sitting on a chair on the steps talking to everybody.”
A spokesman for Homes for Islington said: “We are very sorry to hear of the death of our tenant, in what appears to have been a terrible accident. All tenants are provided with smoke alarms when they sign their tenancy and we also encourage tenants to undergo a fire safety check. We have not yet had access to the property to confirm whether the alarms were being used. To reassure tenants we will be asking our health and safety inspectors to carry out an inspection of the block.”
Source: Islington tribune
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Cigarette sparks Shepherd's Bush blaze
12 June 2009
Firefighters from across west London were called to tackle a massive blaze caused by a cigarette which had been left burning in a Shepherd's Bush home.
Around half of the Boxmoor House maisonette, in Queensdale Crescent on the Edward Woods estate, was completely destroyed in the fire, which started just before 7pm yesterday.
A mother in her 60s escaped with her life when smoke alarms fitted by the fire service warned her of the blaze, after her son left the cigarette alight on the third floor of the building.
Crews from Hammersmith, Kensington, Paddington and Acton put out the fire within 25 minutes and were on the scene for three hours, checking for secondary fires in the roof space and making the building safe.
Watch manager Michael Herschell said: "The mum was on the second floor, and she was only altered to the fire because smoke alarms had been fitted properly on two floors. If there had only been one, she might not have heard it and it could have been too late.
"I'd like to reiterate the importance of ensuring that cigarette butts are soaked in water overnight or removed from the property completely."
Source: Ealing Gazette
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Cigarette causes bedroom blaze
18th May 2009
Firefighters in Essex tackled a bedroom fire caused by a cigarette not being put out properly on Saturday night. Crews from Canvey and Hadleigh tackled the flames at the two-storey house on Genep Road, Canvey, when they were called out at 7.26pm. They wore four sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel to put out the blaze by about 8am.
Sub officer Kevin Hercock said: "Incidents like this show the danger people face if they do not make sure that all smoking materials are properly extinguished. It is vital that smokers ensure their cigarettes are fully out and that they regularly empty their ashtrays and never smoke in bed. The property had no working smoke alarms so the man who lives there is lucky this did not happen while he was asleep because he would have had no warning that there was a fire in his home at all and could have suffocated on the smoke."
Source: This is Total Essex
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Vital smoke alarm was missing from blaze victim's flat
10 March 2009
A flat in which a pensioner died following a fire had had its smoke detector removed, it has been revealed. Gordon Bremner, 68, was caught in the blaze in his first-floor flat in Dundee on Sunday evening. Firefighters who attended the three-storey tenement shortly after 8:15pm found Mr Bremner suffering from smoke inhalation. He was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead some time later.
A Tayside Fire and Rescue spokesman said yesterday: "The property, which was part of a three-storey tenement block, had a smoke alarm fitted within the flat. However, it had been removed." Station manager Ron Massie said that more than 20 firefighters arrived at the property in the city's Lochee district. Wearing breathing apparatus, they entered the building and were able to extinguish the flames.
The blaze is believed to have started in the living room and been caused by "discarded smoking material". Three fire appliances were used during the incident, along with an aerial platform and a control support unit, and the road had to be closed.
A council spokesman, who confirmed the victim was a council tenant, said: "Smoke alarms are provided in all council properties. They are hard-wired when properties are upgraded as part of the rewiring process. If not the upgraded hard-wired type, then they are the battery-operated model, which we replace as and when necessary. Tenants are responsible for battery replacement."
Mr Bremner's death is the second such tragedy within a week in Dundee.
Source: The Scotsman
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Bedroom cigarette 'caused blaze'
20 February 2009
A 14-year-old girl, smoking in bed, triggered a blaze which led to her and her father fleeing their home, north Wales fire chiefs believe. Both were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation after the bedroom fire in Johnstown, Wrexham, on Thursday night. Fire officers believe a dressing gown trailing in an ashtray caught fire.
Spokesman Andy Robb said the lives of the girl and her father were probably saved by fire alarms and they had been "extremely lucky". The fire service said crews from Johnstown and Wrexham were called to the house at around 2335 GMT to deal with a fire in the bedroom.
A statement said initial investigations suggested that after smoking the cigarette the girl fell asleep, but was awoken by the sound of the smoke detector. She picked up the dressing gown to move it but the garment, which had been smouldering, burst into flames. The gown landed in the doorway of the bedroom, blocking her exit.
The teenager's 44-year-old father heard her screams and knocked down the bedroom door. The door landed on the dressing gown, reducing flames enough for the pair to escape the bedroom and then the house. The pair were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation, but were later released.
Fire crews said the bedroom suffered 95% medium smoke damage and another room had light smoke damage. Fire safety enforcement officer Mr Robb said: "Both this young girl and her father were extremely lucky to have escaped unharmed. Had the smoke alarms not activated, we could very easily have been dealing with another two fire deaths in north Wales. Both could have slept as the fire developed, taking hold and filling the air with noxious smoke. The likelihood is, that without a smoke alarm, these two would never have woken up at all."
Mr Robb added the incident highlights the dangers of smoking in bed. He said statistics showed smokers were 35% more likely to have a house fire than non smokers.
Source: BBC News
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Self-dousing cigaretters to cut bushfire risk
20 February 2009
Canberra is fast-tracking new laws forcing tobacco companies to make cigarettes that snuff themselves out.
The hi-tech cigarettes, designed with paper "speed bumps" so they extinguish automatically, were debated for four years before the federal Government legislated six months ago to make them mandatory.
Now, in the wake of the Black Saturday blazes that have killed 208 people and left 10,000 homeless, the Government hopes to bring forward the March 2010 deadline so safer cigarettes are in use before next summer's bushfire season.
Arson investigators have blamed a lit cigarette, possibly thrown from a passing car or truck, as the probable cause of the West Bendigo fire that claimed two lives and destroyed 50 homes.
Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen yesterday announced he had sought advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on bringing forward the start date for the new cigarette regulations.
He warned the reduced fire-risk cigarettes were not foolproof in preventing fire.
"Smokers will need to continue to dispose of their cigarettes and ash carefully," Mr Bowen said.
Tobacco giant Philip Morris confirmed it was on track to produce the new cigarettes from March next year.
"There'll obviously be some packaging changes required and we have to make sure the machinery works with the different paper," spokeswoman Nerida White said.
University of Sydney health professor Simon Chapman, who was a member of the World Health Organisation's expert advisory panel on tobacco and health for 18 years, said there was no excuse to wait any longer to introduce cigarettes already mandatory in Canada and parts of the US.
"There is no God-given reason why this proposal cannot be introduced before the next bushfire season," he said.
"All the firms have the technology to do it. It is appalling that governments allow the tobacco industry to push them around in terms of implementation."
A lobby of 40 anti-smoking organisations is writing to Attorney-General Robert McClelland to demand the cigarettes become mandatory by September. "The recent devastating fires have highlighted the urgency of all sections of society doing their utmost to minimise further risk of fire," says the letter, on behalf of the Protecting Children from Tobacco coalition.
"Cigarettes are conservatively estimated to cause an average of 14 bushfires a year in Australia, and smouldering butts also start many fires in houses and cars - with children often the victims."
Source: The Australian
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Smoking in bed costs grandad his life
17 February 2009
A Grandfather in the habit of smoking in bed died after flames engulfed his bedroom, prompting gas lighter refill canisters strewn about the house to explode. An inquest revealed David Jones, 71, had “carelessly disposed of smoking materials” on the night of his death last May. Flames then heated the canisters and the explosion’s force blew out one of the downstairs windows.
His daughter Alison told the hearing that when she arrived at his burning home she had tried to run under the police tape because “I wanted to be there with my father – it did not register he was already dead.” She told the inquest at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court of her father’s ill health, and how he had carers to help him in and out of bed after a painful hip operation.
She said on the day he died she had been shopping to buy him his favourite rice pudding and took it up to him at his house in Bassett Street, Abercynon, before leaving for her home in Beddau. “My father was a heavy smoker but he could not use a lighter as he could not press down the button – instead he used a kitchen lighter,” said Miss Jones.
“On the day it happened, my father was watching TV and fell asleep. He looked uncomfortable so my daughter Hayley and I put him to bed. When we put him on the bed, he wanted his cigarettes so I gave him his ashtray, lighter and cigarettes and told him I would see him the following day – that’s all I remember.”
Within half an hour of arriving home, LifeLine were on the phone to tell Miss Jones her father’s house was on fire. “By the time I got back there everyone was there,” she said.
Fire Investigation Officer Andy Peterson carried out the initial examination of Mr Jones’ house and found the seat of the fire was the double bed in his downstairs bedroom . The officer found cigarette lighters and other smoking paraphernalia in the debris of the burnt bed.
A post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Emyr Owen, who said Mr Jones had not sustained a great deal of burns in the fire. He concluded the cause of death was asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.
Coroner Peter Maddox recorded a verdict of accidental death. “While he was on his own, and being a heavy smoker, Mr Jones must have dropped a cigarette or something that was lit which ignited the bed and ground floor room,” he said.
Source: WalesOnline.com
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Woman, 99, dies in bungalow fire
24 January 2009
A 99-year-old woman has been found dead in a fire at a bungalow in Worcestershire.
Fire crews were called to the home in Old Wood Road, Tenbury Wells, shortly before 0600 GMT.
Firefighters said they found the body of the woman, who has not yet been identified.
A fire service spokesperson said the blaze was thought to have been caused by a discarded cigarette. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Source: BBC News
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Firefighters' warning about the dangers of smoking
14 January 2009
Kent Fire and Rescue Service says a series of house fires caused by cigarette smoking should support anyone’s New Year’s resolution to give up cigarettes. Fire crews attended eight blazes during December which are believed to have broken out from discarded or carelessly disposed of smoking materials. Over the entire year, Kent suffered 51 house fires where cigarettes, cigars, lighters and matches are believed to be the cause.
KFRS Community Safety Manager Charlie Smith said: “Clearly the best way to keep you and your family safe is to give up smoking completely. “We know that these fires are more likely to start during the night and that some of the most common places for them to start are sofas, beds and carpets. Remember, a cigarette burns at up to 700C, so if you must smoke make sure when you put it out, it really is out. That final check could save your and your family’s life”.
Source: Kent News
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Discarded cigarette caused £6m damage to Moreton Hall
8 January 2009
A discarded cigarette has caused a £6 million blaze which gutted an historic college.
A smouldering fag-end casually flicked away by a worker, led to the inferno which wrecked Moreton Hall - Warwickshire College’s flagship building - last March.
Plumbers contracted by the college to carry out regular maintenance checks were working in the Grade II listed mansion’s roof space.
The college, which takes further education students from all over Coventry and Warwickshire, is near the village of Moreton Morrell in south Warwickshire.
Ian Tonner, the fire service’s area risk manager for Rugby, said: “We’re not blaming anyone or putting anyone in the frame - it was an accident.
“Though it was a non-smoking site, a worker had gone on to the roof for a sneaky cigarette.
“He then dropped it down a hole that he thought was a drain pipe. It wasn’t, it was a hole in the roof’s lining.
“A few seconds of thoughtlessness has cost millions of pounds, and just highlights the dangers of discarding cigarettes.”
He refused to reveal the identity of the firm involved.
As the blaze took hold staff were evacuated and smoke could be seen for miles around.
More than 80 firefighters with 15 engines from two counties battled for three days to save the Edwardian gem, which is the campus’s HQ for agricultural and equine courses.
The inquiry into the cause, which has just been completed by insurance experts, had been hampered by severe weather and the extent of the damage.
A short while later Warwickshire Police ruled out foul-play.
The blaze ripped out the roof, while the interior, including marble bathrooms and oak panelled walls, were severely damaged by smoke, fire and water.
Insurers and builders are still working with conservation experts to restore the exterior to the property, which was built in 1906.
The painstaking project should be completed by March 2010.
The college’s principal, Ioan Morgan, said: “The investigators have said it was due to a discarded cigarette.
“I think at the time plumbing was being looked at in the roof.
“I can’t say too much about the investigation. All I can say is that we’re fully funded for the works that are needed, as we’re covered by our insurance.
“Work is well underway so that the building can be restored to its former glory.
“Our insurers, NFU Mutual, have been outstanding.”
Source: Coventry Telegraph
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Korea: Cigarette maker responsible for fire ignited by cigarette?
10 December 2008
Gyeonggi Provice said it will file a damages suit against KT&G, demanding the nation's largest tobacco company should be held accountable for losses from fire started by cigarette butts.
"Like any other manufacturer, KT&G is obliged to remove any danger from its products. But it has neglected its duty so far,'' Choi Jin-jong of the province told reporters. "It is reaping huge gains from sales of cigarettes but citizens are paying the costs to extinguish fires. It's not fair and that's why we are filing the suit.''
He said that since 2005, the tobacco company has exported cigarettes to the United States that have devices extinguishing the butts two to three seconds after they are thrown away. But it has not sold such cigarettes here.
Choi said the suit will demand KT&G pay 79 billion won in damages to compensate for part of the costs to the province of operations to extinguish fires caused by cigarettes. He said the damages were calculated after the company's domestic market share of nearly 70 percent had been reflected.
Gyeonggi will file the suit by the end of the month, the first of its kind in Korea.
Of 176,109 fires over the last five years nationwide, 11.3 percent or 19,917 cases were caused by cigarettes, causing 24 billion won of property losses.
Source: The Korean Times
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Smoking 'to blame' for greatest number of home fire deaths
20 November 2008
Smoking causes the greatest number of accidental fire deaths in the home, the Government said tonight.
Work on setting a European standard for fire-safe cigarettes would take about two years to complete, said junior communities and local government minister Baroness Andrews.
She was speaking during a Lords debate on the co-ordination of fire safety and emergency services across the EU.
"The number of deaths caused by smoking is a very acute example of personal responsibility. In 2006, there were 3,168 accidental dwelling fires in the UK started by smoking. It is an extraordinary figure...96 people were killed and 1,146 injured," she said.
"The Government has been instrumental in encouraging the European Commission to look into the case for creating a European standard for fire-safer cigarettes, designed to self-extinguish if left unattended, rather than smoulder down and set things alight.
"We have watched with interest developments of this kind in other countries, particularly in the USA and Canada. In October 2005 Canada became the first country to implement a cigarette fire safety standard.
"Since then, assessments suggest that on the basis of their methodology, we would have had 2,116 fewer fires, so these fire-safe cigarettes work.
"The EU has voted overwhelmingly to create such a standard. By establishing a European standard for fire-safe cigarettes, manufacturers will have to produce cigarettes which meet the EU standard compelled by law.
"We continue to be at the forefront of pushing this forward and expect our work on developing this standard to commence later this year. It will probably take about two years to complete," Lady Andrews said.
Source: 24dash.com
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Finland approves ASTM standard E2187 for RIP Cigarettes
11 November 2008
Finland's Parliament has approved the proposal to regulate the ignition propensity of cigarettes.
The new requirements follow the examples of Canada, Australia and several U.S.
states. Cigarettes must burn their full length no more than 25 % of the time when tested using ASTM E2187-04 standard.
Requirements will come into force in 1 April 2010 and after that only RIP-cigarettes can be legally sold in Finland.
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Cigarettes in Australia will be subject to new regulations to reduce fire risk
22 September 2008
Cigarettes for sale in Australia will be subject to stringent new regulations to reduce the fire risk from smouldering butts.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced a new mandatory standard which will require cigarettes to be tested for combustibility.
"Cigarettes will be subject to performance standards and a testing regime which will reduce the likelihood of inadvertent fires occurring when smouldering cigarettes are left near combustible materials," federal Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement.
"Cigarette caused fires cost Australia in excess of $100 million each year not to mention the injuries and deaths that result from carelessly discarded cigarettes."
Cigarette makers will be required to change their products to ensure they self-extinguish more readily, before the regulations come into force in March 2010.
A study conducted by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Science found that between June 1, 2000, and June 30, 2006, 67 deaths nationally were caused by cigarette-related fires.
Source: news.com.au
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Finland embraces ASTM international self-extinguishing cigarette standard
29 August 2008
Seeking to prevent accidental death and damage to property related to untended cigarettes, Finland has proposed that all cigarettes sold in the country be tested to assess their likelihood to cause fire in bedding or upholstered furniture.
The regulatory proposal specifies the use of ASTM E2187 - an international standard developed by ASTM International – to test the ignition performance of cigarettes and aims to reduce the 700 annual fires and 35-40 deaths in Finland attributed to such threats. While any lit cigarette is a potential fire hazard, cigarettes that perform well as measured by the ASTM International standard are less likely to start fires when left unattended.
Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health stated last month that using the ASTM International standard represented an important step forward towards achieving local and European consumer protection goals.
The Finnish decision to utilize ASTM E2187 represents a pivotal breakthrough in terms of public safety, as there is currently no equivalent European standard available. The ASTM International standard has already been adopted nationwide in Canada and in the majority of US states.
“By using the international standard ASTM E2187 to measure the ignition strength of cigarettes, the Finnish government is taking action to help prevent fires and save lives,” said ASTM International President James A. Thomas. “ASTM International standards satisfy principles established by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade and are recognized worldwide for their technical quality and relevance. I commend the Finnish government for utilizing an ASTM International standard for this important regulatory purpose and urge other governmental bodies in Europe to take similar action.”
ANEC, a Brussels-headquartered European consumer association, has welcomed the Finnish initiative as a contribution towards improved consumer safety. Stephen Russell, ANEC Secretary-General said: “We recognise ASTM International to be an innovative standards developer and so support the proposal to reference ASTM E2187 as a test method until the details of a formal European Standard have finally been worked out. We also have no doubt that ASTM E2187 provides a benchmark for this latter task.”
A key member of the RIP Alliance, which brings together a number of health NGOs and policy makers at the European level, Florence Berteletti Kemp likewise states: “In view of the fact that it is technologically and economically feasible for cigarettes to meet fire-safety standards, tobacco manufacturers should be required to produce and market only reduced-ignition propensity cigarettes in the EU. Tobacco manufacturers should use the same standard as in New York and Canada, [ASTM] E2187.”
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Dorset: Cigarette caused heathland fire killing rare species
21 May 2008
A cigarette thrown from a car has been identified as the likely cause of a heathland fire in Dorset which killed hundreds of rare lizards and birds.
The National Trust said it was probably thrown from a car in Ferry Road and destroyed 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) on the Studland peninsula.
Up to 120 firefighters battled the blaze on Tuesday afternoon at the Site of Special Scientific Interest.
National Trust experts believe at least 500 reptiles are likely to have died. It is one of the few places in Britain where six native reptile species can be found.
Alongside the adder, the grass snake, the common lizard and slow worm are vulnerable populations of the country's two rarest species, the sand lizard and the smooth snake.
Nests and broods of several species of birds associated with lowland heath, such as the linnet and the Dartford warbler, were thought to have been caught up in it.
A spokeswoman for Dorset Fire and Rescue said the blaze was not suspicious and that a cigarette was the most likely cause.
It is expected to take up to 20 years for the area to be fully recolonised.
David Hodd, the National Trust head warden for Purbeck, said: "Almost everything in the area has been killed by the flames and smoke."
"It could not have come at a worse time for the wildlife on the heath because it is the breeding season."
BBC News, 21 May 2008
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Westminster MPs press for urgent action
08 January 2008
Today an Early Day Motion was tabled by David Taylor MP supporting the government's call to roll out fire safer cigarettes ahead of the rest of the European Union.
It also welcomes the government's stance to introduce the same standard currently used in Canada and other US states. Any development of a new standard would take time and cause avoidable loss of life and destruction.
To view the Early Day Motion, go to:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34802&SESSION=891
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As 2008 approaches....
...RIP cigarettes are to become effective in the following US states:-
Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Utah. Further will follow suit in 2009 with more states filing legislation for consideration in other states.
At this time 52% of the US population is now or soon will be covered by fire safer cigarettes.
We look forward to their speedy introduction across the European Union.
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Fire safer cigarettes to be made standard
For the latest press release, on this latest development, from the Department of Communities and Local Government, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/32hh33
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Cigarette end 'started Cape fire'
27 November 2007
A fire in South Africa that killed a British tourist was caused by another Briton flicking a burning cigarette on to dry grass, a court has heard.
Anthony Cooper, 37, from Brighton, East Sussex, has denied starting the fire in which Janet Chesworth, 65, of Sedgley, West Midlands, died in January 2006.
Taxi driver Craig Ward told Cape Town Regional Court he was parked at the foot of Table Mountain at the time.
He said a flame began "within seconds" of the cigarette being discarded.
"He threw his leftover cigarette on to the dry grass and within seconds a flame started due to the condition of the grass and strong winds," Mr Ward said.
Mrs Chesworth had been hiking with her daughter at the time of the fire, and died of smoke inhalation.
More than 150 firefighters together with water-carrying helicopters struggled to bring the blaze under control.
Mr Cooper is accused of arson and culpable homicide.
BBC News 24 Online
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EU gives green light to fire safer cigarettes
29 November 2007
The European Commission endorsed a plan to introduce fire safer cigarettes, a standard which could come into force as early as next year, depending on how long it takes to get the industry to switchover.
The plan is meant to follow a trend by the United States and Canada which have already introduced the new slower burning cigarettes, which help reduce the number of deaths from fires at home caused by dropped or unattended and lit cigarettes.
"Clearly it is better not to smoke at all," said Meglena Kuneva, the EU's consumer affairs commissioner. "But if people choose to smoke then requiring tobacco companies to make this small technical change is another step in the right direction toward reducing some of the terrible damage that can be caused."
Cigarette-related fires cause 520 deaths and 1,600 injuries every year in 14 EU countries, the European Commission said, citing data from those countries.
It added that unattended lit cigarettes were also a major cause of forest fires in many southern EU member states. In Italy 32 percent of all unintentional forest fires last year were caused by cigarettes and matches abandoned in dry timber areas, according to an EU study.
"This is a superb opportunity to save more fires that are needlessly lost, particularly at home," said Sir Ken Knight, former fire chief of the London Fire Brigade, who now advises the British government on fire and rescue issues. "There is little doubt that we would see fire deaths reduced."
Under the new safety standards, cigarette manufacturers will have to wrap cigarettes with two or three thin bands of thickened paper that act to "slow down" a burning cigarette. If left smoldering, the burning tobacco will hit one of the bands and self-extinguish.
Kuneva said the drafting of the new rules, which would get under way shortly and could take as long as two years, could foresee transition periods for cigarette makers.
IHT.com
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Wisconsin to introduce fire safer cigarettes legislation
New legislation was introduced by state Sen. Judy Robson, D Beloit, that would require cigarettes in Wisconsin to be “fire-safe,” which could prevent fires that lead to hundreds of deaths every year in the United States.
He stressed that effective legislation would have to be similar to legislation passed in other states. “You don’t want a patchwork of legislation that creates different cigarettes in all 50 states,” Bender said.
Twenty-two other states already have legislation that requires selling “fire-safe” cigarettes, and nine other states have filed similar legislation. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said that he had not yet looked at the bill.
According to the City of Madison Fire Department, four out of the five recorded fire deaths in the last two years have occurred in fires started by smoking materials. CMFD Public Information Officer Lori Wirth stated that 19 fires have already been caused this year in Madison by smoking materials.
“This legislation could possibly have an impact unlike anything we’ve seen since smoke detectors were required. It’s a pretty big deal … we have a real opportunity to preserve life,” Wirth said.
Wirth said the bill would save the lives of both smokers and their neighbors because deaths caused by smoking related materials are often not those of the smokers themselves.
According to the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes, 34 percent of the victims are children of the smokers, 25 percent are neighbors or friends and 14 percent are spouses.
http://www.dailycardinal.com/
23.11.07
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Indianapolis to propose only 'Fire Safe' cigarettes sold
INDIANAPOLIS - State lawmakers may change the type of cigarettes that retailers can sell in Indiana. Senator Jeff Drozda plans to introduce a bill requiring that only fire safer cigarettes be available in the state.
Those cigarettes have wrappings that make them less likely to set clothing, bedding or anything else on fire if someone leaves them unattended. Statistics show careless smoking causes hundreds of fire deaths every year nationwide. The numbers in Indiana are alarming as well.
"The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, their statistics from 2000 to 2007 state that Indiana's had 26 fatalities and 90 injuries due to fires ingnited from smoking," said Senator Drozda. With 26 fatalities, the rate of death from smoking fires was six times greater than overall residential fire deaths. Although fires caused by smoking accounted for only 2.08 percent of residential fires, they caused 12.94 percent of civilian fire deaths.
If successful, Indiana would be the 23rd state to require the sale of fire safer cigarettes.
Wishtv8.com
19/11/2007
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RJ Reynolds to produce only Fire-Safe Cigarettes
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s announcement that it will manufacture all of its cigarette brands using fire-safe technology is a victory for all of those interested in public safety, said the National Fire Protection Association and the group it coordinates, the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes.
“Nearly two years ago, we began urging major tobacco companies to switch to this life-saving technology,” said James M. Shannon, NFPA’s president. “While it could have been done sooner, I applaud their action and urge every other tobacco company to do the same. There is no reason everyone in the country shouldn’t have the same protection.”
Cigarette-ignited fires are the leading cause of residential fire deaths. Each year in this country, 700 to 900 people die in cigarette-ignited fires. One quarter of those people killed — often including children and the elderly — are not the smoker. So called fire-safe cigarettes are designed to self-extinguish if dropped or left unattended. They are less likely to ignite clothing, bedding or other material.
Absent action by tobacco companies, NFPA and the Coalition coordinated a state-by-state campaign to encourage passage of fire-safe cigarette mandates. To date, 22 states have done so. This year alone, 16 governors signed legislation into law. Even states in the heart of tobacco country, such as Kentucky and North Carolina, have passed fire-safe cigarette laws. Legislators in many more states are poised to introduce similar bills in the next legislative session.
“That state-by-state movement has been incredibly successful so far and has resulted in the tipping point for this effort,” Shannon said. “If cigarette manufacturers had begun producing only fire-safe cigarettes 20 years ago, an estimated 15,000 lives could have been saved by now. While we can not save those who have perished in tragic cigarette fires, this action will save others.”
Fire Chief website (31.10.07)
http://firechief.com/news/Safe_cigarettes_10312007/
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London Assembly press release: 10th October 2007
Assembly supports new standard for fire safer cigarette
The London Assembly today called for the European Union to support a proposal for a new fire safer cigarette standard.
A reduced ignition propensity cigarette – a fire safer cigarette - is one that has been designed to be less likely than a conventional cigarette to ignite soft furnishings such as a couch or mattress.
The standard should be brought into effect as quickly as possible, as this would dramatically reduce the number of fires and fatalities.
The motion supporting the proposal was tabled by Valerie Shawcross AM and seconded by Darren Johnson AM.
Val Shawcross said: “Everyone knows that smoking can slowly kill someone, but they can also kill very quickly when they cause fires. Cigarette fires are the biggest cause of fire-related deaths in the home. Adopting this standard will be a major step forward for the health and safety of people across Europe. This standard will save lives.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly warmly welcomes the support of the European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, for a new fire safer cigarette standard to be applied across the European Union, and calls on all member state representatives to support this proposal when the EU General Product Safety Directive Committee votes on it in November.
“A survey of fourteen Member States and Norway carried out by the European Commission has identified 11,000 fires caused by smoking each year, resulting in € 13 million of material damage, 1,600 injuries and 520 deaths. A fire safer cigarette standard would dramatically reduce the number of such fires. A Fire Research Report for the UK Government estimates that had the standard been in force in the UK in 2003, the number of smoking related fires would have fallen by almost two-thirds, the number of fatalities from 123 to 45 and the number of non-fatal casualties from 1,416 to 530. This would mean a major step forward for the health and safety of Londoners, where about 600 fires a year are now caused by smokers’ materials, and where last month saw the death of a young man in a Tottenham fire believed to have been caused by a lit cigarette.
“This Assembly congratulates the London Fire Brigade and its partners in the UK RIP Coalition, strongly supported by the Mayor, for their campaigning work on this issue. The Assembly calls on the Commission to adopt the standard already in force in many US states and in Canada, so that it can be brought into effect across Europe as quickly as possible.”
Notes for editors:
1. The motion was agreed by a majority of Assembly Members
2. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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Blaze claims lives of newlyweds
A newly-wed couple died side by side when a blaze ripped through their flat.
A poignant floral tribute to "Daddy" was among those left outside the home where Kaye and Maurice Tooley died.
They were dragged from the property in Wharton Street, South Shields, South Tyneside in the early hours of Sunday.
The blaze, believed to be caused by a discarded cigarette, broke out while they were in bed.
Among the touching messages was one from Mr Tooley's daughter, Rachel.
It said: "To Daddy and Kaye, I will always love you both more than anything, I'll never forget you's."
Neighbours said Mr Tooley, 47, and his 25-year-old wife had lived together for about two years, but had only just wed.
They watched in horror as emergency services flooded the street at around 1am, after the woman in the flat below raised the alarm.
Inspector Graham Lockey of South Tyneside Police said: "It would appear to be a tragic accident which resulted in the loss of life for two people.
"At this early stage there are no suspicious circumstances.
"Although the matter is in the hands of the fire investigation officers, it would appear to be the result of a discarded cigarette in the kitchen.
"It serves as a reminder to people, as it led to the death of the couple who, at the end of the day, have gone to bed and been killed by fire. It is tragic."
Source: The Northern Echo, 8th October 2007
For ASH's press release on this story please click here.
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Countdown to EU approval
From the 29th to 30th November 2007 the committee of the General Product Safety Directive is due to discuss RIP cigarettes. The coalition is seeking as many UK MEPs as possible to sign up to written declaration 66/2007 at the Smoke Free Partnership stand within the European Parliament between the 10th and 11th October 2007.
Go to our Action section to contact your MEP to gain their support at this crucial time.
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North Carolina becomes 22nd state to pass fire safer cigarette law
North Carolina has passed legislation requiring tobacco firms to sell only "fire-safer" versions of their cigarettes by 2010. This means that 52% per cent of the population of the United States is now or soon will be better protected from cigarette fires.
The law requires that self-extinguishing cigarettes be sold in the state. "Cigarettes are the leading cause of deaths from fires in North Carolina," said state Governor Mike Easley. "By making the change to self-extinguishing cigarettes, it is estimated that as many as 50 fire-related deaths in our state could be prevented each year." Companies that violate the law could be fined $100,000, while retailers could pay up to $25,000 in fines.
For more information on the fire safer cigarette campaign in the United States, go to http://www.firesafecigarettes.org.
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Fires Started by Cigarettes in the UK
Cigarette blamed for flat fire death
10 May 2007
A fire that led to the death of a Frome man was probably caused by a discarded cigarette, an inquest heard.Firefighters called to a flat in Hooper's Barton in the early hours of October 22, 2006, found 37-year-old Shaun Bennett lying in a bath of water.
Attempts by emergency services failed to resuscitate him.
A smoke alarm in the flat was open and the battery had been taken out.
An inquest in Frome on Friday was told that a post-mortem revealed Mr Bennett had died from a combination of smoke and toxic fume inhalation, intoxication and drowning.
Source: this is Somerset
Firemen tackle Swinton blaze
30 May 2007
By Simon Duke
CREWS from Duns and Coldstream attended a housefire in Swinton on Monday May 28. The fire service were alerted to the blaze at Wellfield at 3.37pm and engines were quickly on the scene. A fire had broken out in a living room on the ground floor of the property. The owner of the house had returned from picking up her children to find thick smoke coming out of the windows.
Breathing apparatus were used when extinguishing the fire and the Fire Investigation Unit attended from Edinburgh. The blaze is believed to have been caused by smoking materials burning through an arm chair. No-one was hurt.
Source: The Berwickshire News
Blaze hero dad's burns
By David Walsh
03 May 2007
A DAD suffered burns on his hands, arms and feet when he tackled a house blaze in Barnsley sparked by his wife's cigarette.
The 47-year-old father-of-three grabbed burning curtains and a blanket and dragged them out of the semi on Bluebell Road, Darton, after the family was alerted by smoke alarms.
He suffered burns described as "quite deep", particularly on his legs, and was today being treated in Barnsley hospital.
His wife, aged 35, and their three boys, aged eight and twins aged five, escaped without harm. A pet dog which was in the kitchen also got out without being injured.
The blaze broke out just after 11pm when the woman went to the toilet and an unguarded cigarette set light to soft furnishings in the lounge.
Crew manager Steve Wood said it took seconds to spread, triggering newly installed smoke alarms which gave the family an early warning which probably saved their lives.
Source: Sheffield Star Barnsley
Family rescued from burning flat
23 April 2007
A fire broke out at a flat in Wood Road, Heybridge, Essex, early on Sunday where a woman, two men and children, aged two, eight and 10, were sleeping.
Control watch officer Samantha Boreham said: "It was a good result because they all got out."
There was no smoke alarm in the flat and station officer Danny Bruin said the incident had been triggered by smoking materials.
Source: BBC News online
Mother and Children Escape from Fire in Flat
20 April 2007
A mother and her two teenage children had to be rescued by firefighters from their home in Long Acre House, Snow Hill.
Crews were alerted to the blaze by a neighbour who saw smoke billowing out of the property at 7.14am yesterday.
A spokeswoman for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the bedroom where the fire started was gutted and other rooms were smoke and waterlogged.
"It looks like the fire started accidentally as a result of smoking materials," she said.
Source: The Bath Chronicle
Ceiling collapses in bedroom blaze
19 April 2007
By Helen Clarke
A man narrowly escaped serious injury when a fire, believed to have been started by a lit cigarette, engulfed his Astwood Bank bedroom causing the ceiling to collapse.
Firefighters, who came from Redditch and Studley, believe the 42-year-old resident may have fallen asleep with a lit cigarette that set fire to the bed.
Ian Prust, Redditch Fire Station manager, said: "This man was extremely lucky to escape from the building, the flat is completely destroyed. The outcome could have been immeasurably worse.
Source: Redditch Advertiser
Cigarette burn
11 April 2007
By Peter Stebbings
A massive fire at a partially built Colindale development last year is likely to have been caused by workmen smoking at the site, an official report has concluded.
The Fire Protection Association (FPA), the UK's fire safety watchdog, also said it was more by luck than good judgement that no one was killed or seriously injured in the blaze, which started at about 3.30pm, on July 12, and raged for five hours.
The fire, at Beaufort Park development, in Aerodrome Road, resulted in black smoke rising hundreds of feet into the air. It had a significant impact on the local community', noted the FPA's report, citing the massive smoke plume, traffic gridlock, and the evacuation of buildings and houses nearby.
Two thousand people living close to the development had to be evacuated from their homes, and adjacent Middlesex University halls of residence were evacuated after they too caught fire, causing £2million worth of damage. Nearby Colindale police station and police training college also had to be evacuated. Thirty cars parked nearby were badly damaged.
Block B4, where the fire started, collapsed nine minutes after the alarm was raised. Despite the efforts of 100 firefighters, the flames quickly spread to four other blocks. All were built on timber frames.
The report addressing the cause of the fire at the development, which is now secure and being rebuilt, rules out arson. However, while noting the site was no-smoking, there was evidence builders had broken that rule.
The findings also stated: "Although no formal report has yet been produced by the fire brigade, careless disposal of smoking materials, possibly igniting sawdust or wood shavings, appears to be the most likely cause."
Source: Richmond and Twickenham Times
Seventh Floor Blaze Terror
30 March 2007
Firefighters rescued a man from a seventh storey balcony after a blaze gutted his high rise flat. Emergency crews were called after the man woke up at 7am yesterday to find his bedroom on fire. He fled to his balcony and shouted to his neighbours for help.
Today fire officers said the fire broke out after a cigarette was "carelessly discarded". They also said the tenant's smoke alarms may well have saved his life. Lincolnshire's community fire safety manager Neil Stacey urged residents to dispose of cigarettes carefully.
Source: This is Lincolnshire
Couple leap to escape house blaze
26 March 2007
A couple were taken to hospital after leaping from a first-floor bedroom window to escape a fire.
They are thought to have been woken at 10.30pm yesterday by a fire in their living room in Monkswood Rise, Seacroft, Leeds.
They jumped 15ft on to concrete in the back garden. The woman, aged 28, suffered head injuries. Her partner, thought to be in his late 30s, was unhurt but said to be badly shaken. They were taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
Discarded smoking materials are believed to be to blame for the blaze.
Blaze hero loses fight to rescue victim
15 March 2007
By Miles Godfrey
Tony Lovell was overwhelmed by flames as he tried to save Arthur Mann who had fallen asleep while smoking. A heroic neighbour has told how he was overwhelmed by flames as he tried to save a pensioner from a fire.
Arthur Mann, 85, died after falling asleep while smoking in his ground-floor flat in Pashley Court, Shoreham.
The blaze broke out at 6pm on Wednesday - National No Smoking Day - and the flat quickly caught fire.
Despite the best efforts of neighbour Tony Lovell, Mr Mann died before anyone could rescue him.
Fire and rescue crews had been called to the same address on April 2 last year when it caught fire because of a discarded cigarette.
Mr Lovell, 44, said he had absolutely no chance of overcoming the fierce flames.
Firefighters from Shoreham said it was the third fatality in the area in the past 12 months caused by discarded cigarettes.
Gwen Thresh, of Wilmot Road, Shoreham, died in March last year and Michael Jacob, 68, of Ravens Road, Shoreham, was killed on December 9.
Source: Brighton & Hove Argus
Safer fags would save lives say firefighters
7 March 2007
FIRE Brigade bosses have backed calls for a new style of cigarette which goes out if it is not puffed upon.
Nearly one fire every fortnight in Haringey is caused by people being careless with cigarettes - and was the reason behind a recent fire death in the borough.The London Fire Brigade is calling for a Europe-wide law banning old-fashioned cigarettes in favour of "fire safer" fags, which could slash the number of fires and fire deaths.
A special coating on the cigarettes means that it stops burning if the smoker doesn't take a drag. Many fires are caused by smokers falling asleep in bed while still having a cigarette alight.
Sixteen fires have been caused in Haringey by burning cigarettes in the last year.
Last October, a 65-year-old man died from smoke inhalation after a fire started on the sofa in his lounge at Siward Road on the Tower Gardens Estate, Tottenham.
Steve Chase, head of Blue Watch at Tottenham fire station, said: "We think he found himself trapped by the fire at the back door, which was locked. We attempted to resuscitate him but we were unsuccessful.
Source: nlnews@archant.co.uk
Flat wrecked by a cig
5 March 2007
By Ben Holt
A PENSIONER is in hospital after a dropped cigarette sparked a flat fire.
An 83-year-old woman was at her Brunswick Gardens flat when the fire started at 6am today.
Her son, who had spent the night at the Halifax flat, raised the alarm as the flames took hold. The front room was gutted, window frames melted and thick black smoke poured into the stairwell.
When firefighters from Halifax arrived residents had already evacuated the flats. The pensioner and her son were outside suffering from smoke inhalation.
Watch manager Chris Linley said: "We think the lady that owned it had been in the living room smoking and had dropped the cigarette down the back of the sofa and that set it off.
Source: Evening Courier
Warning as fifth fatal fire strikes
10 Oct 2006
By Carl Butler
NORTH Wales' fire chief last night urged members of the public to heed safety warnings following the death of a woman in a house blaze.
Simon Smith’s call came as an investigation showed the fire which killed a Deeside woman was started by a cigarette.
The victim was yesterday named as Christina Grice, 44, of Bernsdale Court, Sandycroft.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “The fire investigation strongly suggests that the fire was caused by smoking materials left unattended on a sofa in the living room of the property.”
Fire chief Mr Smith said: “Firstly I would like to offer my condolences to the friends and family of the woman who sadly passed away at her home in Sandycroft.
“This was a lady who lived on her own and was found alone in a smouldering building due to a fire started by a discarded cigarette.”
Sunday’s fire tragedy takes the total to five in the region since April.
Source: Daily Post
Widow killed by her ciggies
17 Feb 2007
By Peter Taylor
A widow's fondness for a fag probably led to her death, investigators have concluded.
Irene Hume, 76, of Cowpen Road, Blyth, died just hours after she was rescued from her blazing home by firefighters on the Friday night before Christmas.
It is believed Mrs Hume had been smoking a cigarette downstairs before she went to bed without putting it out properly.
She lost her fight for life at 3am the next day in Ashington's Wansbeck General Hospital, where she had been put on a life-support machine after suffering first-degree burns.
Source: The Evening Chronicle
Fire deaths appeal
13 February 2007
SMOKERS are being warned to make sure cigarettes are fully stubbed out in a new campaign to cut the number of fire deaths.
Fire chiefs say that eight Mansfield house fires and a further three in Ashfield were caused by discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials last year.
And of the seven house fires in Nottinghamshire in which lives were lost, six were caused by smouldering cigarettes, matches and lighters.
Said watch manager Dave Bryan, of the county's Fire and Rescue Service's Community Safety Team: "Smoking materials are the biggest cause of fire-related deaths in the home.
"These fires can start during the day or night, often when alcohol has been consumed, and some of the most common places for them to start are sofas, beds and carpets."
Source: ashfieldtoday.co.uk
Fire rages at student house
13 February 2007
Around seven students were evacuated from their homes when a fire broke out in a house converted into flats.
Flames were discovered in a second floor bedroom at the house, in
The evacuated home owners sheltered in the ambulance. Firefighters believe the blaze was started by smoking materials.
25 die a year in smoking related fires
18 January 2007
SMOKING in the home causes more than 400 fires in Scotland a year, killing 25 people, new figures revealed today.
Nearly a third of all households have a smoker living in them and smoking households are 38% more likely to have a fire than non-smoking.
Yet despite this danger the Government figures found 17% of people have gone to bed without ensuring cigarettes and candles are extinguished properly.
A study revealed fires caused by smoking materials accounted for 403 house fires in Scotland up to October 2005, and 25 deaths.
Of these 193 were in the Strathclyde area, which accounted for 14 of the deaths and 75 casualties.
Source: Evening Times online
Careless smokers wreck their homes
16 January 2007
CARELESS smokers in Northamptonshire have caused nearly £700,000 worth of damage to their own homes in the last eight months, according to the county fire service.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have released figures showing firefighters were called to 27 house fires caused by smoking in the county since April last year.
And fire safety officers have warned that each careless cigarette is likely to cause more than £25,000 worth of damage.
A fire service spokesman said: "Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding local smokers that while a packet of cigarettes costs about £5, the average damage caused by a house fire is £25,500. That is quite a price to pay for carelessness."
The county fire service is currently trying to solve the problem by fitting free smoke alarms, which it has in 3374 Northamptonshire homes since April last year.
Liz Tavener (Cons, New Duston) cabinet member for community safety, said: "People need to be aware of the danger they can put themselves in and in the end it is up to them to keep themselves safe."
A total of 10 of the fires happened in Northampton homes with the next worst area being Kettering with six.
Source: Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Man has lucky escape from burning flat
15 November 2006
FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning about the importance of smoke alarms after a Clacton man had an “extremely lucky” escape from a burning flat that was subsequently gutted.
Six people were evacuated from flats in a house on Clacton High Street after a blaze ripped through Damien Hurley's ground-floor front room, where he was sleeping.
The large property, which houses 10 flats, was engulfed by smoke and one woman had to be guided from the property by firefighters wearing specialist breathing apparatus.
“There were people outside who were being sick because of the smoke. The window of Damien's flat, which is double-glazed, blew out with the heat. It was a very loud bang. There were flames pouring out of the window and loads of smoke. We were very lucky. It's a wreck in there.”
Firefighters said that early indications suggested the blaze was started by smoking materials.
Source: Suffolk and Essex online
Tragic warning after fire death
05 October 2006
A CORONER has warned of the dangers of smoking in bed after a Blackpool widow died in a fire sparked by a cigarette.
An inquest heard that Valerie Berry, 61, was killed on June 1 when flames swept through her Ribble Road home.
The former box office worker was asleep upstairs in the three-storey terraced house when the fire broke out.
Three other family members managed to escape the blaze and, despite their repeated efforts, were unable to rescue Mrs Berry.
Blackpool Coroner's Court heard from consultant pathologist at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Dr Mark Sissons, that Mrs Berry died from carbon monoxide poisoning, caused by smoke inhalation.
Coroner Anne Hind said she hoped the tragic event would serve as a warning to others. Recording a verdict of accidental death, she said: "We have heard from the fire service this is a common occurrence and how very dangerous it is to carelessly discard smoking materials.
"There have been instances here in Blackpool of people who have gone to bed and left a cigarette smouldering and it has fallen down the sofa and started a fire.
"There can be no worse scenario, however, or more dangerous, than smoking in bed – particularly when alcohol or medication can make you drowsy. Sadly, in this case, a cigarette has led to the tragic conclusion we have heard.
"This must be a warning to everyone."
Source: Blackpool Gazette
Dad’s cig butt led to blaze death of son
27th September 2006
A DAD’S cigarette butt started a fire that led to the tragic death of his four-year-old son.
George Edwards was pulled from the flames by firefighters in March this year but had already succumbed to smoke, an inquest heard.
Dad Alan Edwards had put George to bed that morning because the child was tired. He had been kept off school with chickenpox.
He said he remembered stubbing the cigarette out then drifting off, to wake around lunchtime with the room filled with smoke and neighbours hammering on the door of the house on High Bank Road, Droylsden.
He ran out, forgetting his son was inside as normally George lived with mum Tracey Edwards.
Immediately remembering, he ran towards the front door but was beaten back by the flames.
Fire investigator Brendan Dolan said smoking materials had been found in the living room and that the blaze had been the result of a slowly smouldering fire.
"In the absence of any other possibility a carelessly discarded cigarette is the most likely cause of the fire," he added.
Source: Tameside Advertsier
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Old-style brands will be banned by 2009
in a bid to prevent blaze deaths
Denis Campbell, health correspondent
Sunday May 27, 2007
The Observer
Cigarettes that stop burning within two minutes of being put down are to replace conventional brands in an attempt to reduce the number of casualties from fires started by smouldering butts.
The European Commission is to ban traditional cigarettes by 2009-10, forcing smokers to buy 'fire-safe' cigarettes that need constant drags to keep them alight.
Arlene McCarthy, a British Labour member of the European Parliament and chair of its consumer protection committee, said: 'It's very good news. It will save lives. At the moment some people come home, have had a few drinks, fall asleep on the sofa with a cigarette in their hand, it falls on to flammable material and the next thing you know you've got a fire. Fire-safe cigarettes greatly reduce the risk of that happening.'
McCarthy admitted it may prove unpopular among Britain's 10 million smokers. 'Some smokers have said that they felt it would interfere with their smoking experience, but as long as you are smoking the cigarette and drawing on it, it will stay lit. The sensation for the smoker will be no different. But the safety effect will be massive.'
The commission's general product safety committee will next month discuss evidence submitted by 17 of the 27 member states showing that about 2,000 people across Europe are killed every year in house fires caused by cigarettes and a further 7,500 injured. The committee is expected to then vote at its next meeting, in November, to ask CEN, the body which regulates the quality of all consumer products sold in Europe, to devise an EU-wide standard for 'fire-safer' cigarettes. Setting a safety standard for any product usually takes two to three years, but the commission hopes to introduce fire-safe cigarettes sooner, by adopting the same standard that applies in New York State, the first place to legislate on fire-safe cigarettes. Canada and eight other American states have followed suit, and Australia is considering passing a similar law.
The commission has rejected claims from the tobacco industry that the new cigarettes will have little impact on fire-related deaths and injuries and that they will prove more toxic to smokers. Evidence from North America suggests that changing the composition of cigarettes will add half of 1 per cent to their cost - 2p or 3p on a packet of 20.
Once the new rules come in, cigarettes imported into the EU will also have to have several concentric bands, or 'speed bumps', in the tobacco paper to restrict oxygen access to the cigarette's burning end. But there is concern that Britain's high level of tobacco smuggling - up to 13bn of the estimated 70bn cigarettes sold come from that route - may rise further as some smokers fight to continue enjoying conventional cigarettes.
Angela Smith, the Fire Minister at the Department of Communities and Local Government, has lobbied the commission on the UK's behalf to make the change. Commission officials have paid particular attention to evidence from doctors specialising in treating burns victims about the often horrifying injuries suffered by people caught in fires. |
'Fire safer' cigarettes - saving lives from fires
As the UK moves towards a nation-wide ban on smoking in public places, London Fire Brigade Commissioner Sir Ken Knight suggests this could lead to an increased risk of house fires caused by smoking in the home. He advocates the use of 'fire safer' cigarettes, claiming their introduction across Europe could have a similar effect in reducing deaths and injuries as the foam filled regulations
http://www.fire-magazine.com/content/view/245/73/
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RIP Media Release
Fire fighters, fire victims and campaigners from across Europe have come together to form a powerful coalition. Their objective is to drive through new measures to prevent much of the avoidable death and disfigurement arising from fires caused by cigarettes. | 17.22 kB | 28/02/2007 |
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