Hair straighteners blamed for Thame fire

FIRE crews from Thame and Aylesbury were called to a property in Orchard Close, Thame on Monday, (9/11) at 12:05pm, where they were faced with smoke issuing from a bungalow. A team of firefighters in breathing apparatus, carrying a high pressure hose reel jet and using a thermal imaging camera were sent into the property. Using this specialist equipment, the crew were  quickly able to locate and put the fire out,  preventing it from developing further.

On further investigation it was found that the fire had been started by hair straighteners which had been accidentally turned on and set fire to a pile of clothes they were laying on.

What’s left of the fire started by a pair of hair straighteners

Fortunately the elderly couple who live in the bungalow noticed the smoke, left the bungalow and called the Fire and Rescue service straight away. Their couple were praised by fire crew who said that their prompt action prevented, what would have become, a much larger fire.

Thame Watch Manager, Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station, said: “If it had not been noticed, the fire could have gone undetected for a lot longer and certainly would have been a lot more severe. It is so important to make sure electrical items are turned off and if not needed, unplugged.” Mr Ford went on to say that the smoke alarm fitted in the property had not sounded because it was very old.

“I would remind everyone,” he went on, ” how important it is to make sure your smoke alarms are in date and in full working order by carrying out a weekly test to ensure the battery and internal components are still capable of sounding the alarm.”

For further advice on electrical safety, smoke alarms or any other fire related concerns, visit: www.365alive.co.uk  If you have a fire safety question you can call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk