THE death of a man after a fire in Chelmsford this week could have been prevented by a working smoke alarm.
Firefighters were called to the property on the corner of Eves Crescent and Kings Road, Melbourne, shortly before 7pm on Monday evening where they found a man dead from smoke inhalation following a small fire in the bedroom.
The death is the third in Essex in just eight weeks where officers found broken or powerless smoke alarms in the home.
"When we were in the property we found the man had two smoke detectors present but one was not switched on, and the other had a dead battery," said divisional officer Neil Fenwick.
"A working smoke alarm could have been enough to save this man's life. It would have given him and his neighbour's a warning that something was wrong.
"Although the fire was only small, it was the smoke it created which proved to be deadly. This is the case with all fires; it only takes a few breaths of toxic smoke to kill.
"That is why smoke alarms are so important. They give vital early warning at the first sign of smoke giving everyone in the home time to get out safely before calling the fire service."
The fatality follows the death of an 82-year-old grandmother in Skerry Rise, Chelmsford, on May 25. She suffered horrific burns to 70 per cent of her body following a cooking accident.
And just three weeks earlier a father from Stanley Road, Clacton, perished following a blaze in his terraced house.
In both cases officers found smoke alarms had been fitted but were not working as batteries had either run out or been removed.
Following Monday's death fire officers were stationed in Kings Road yesterday morning (Wednesday), speaking to residents about fire safety to prevent future casualties, while people gathered to sort through the victim's belongings just minutes away.
They refused to comment.
"These three fires have all come in quick succession and illustrate how important it is to regularly test your smoke alarms once a month," said DO Fenwick.
"It takes less than a minute to test an alarm. If it doesn't work then replace the batteries or the alarm straight away and hoover out the inside to clean it thoroughly. These alarms are absolute lifesavers."
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service carries out home fire safety visits in which a trained technician will visit your home and do a full home fire safety check, including fitting smoke alarms, completely free of charge.
To arrange a home fire safety visit, call 0845 601 2495.
