Clacton flat destroyed by fire

Firefighters are urging smokers to discard of smoking materials properly, after a discarded cigarette caused a fire in a sheltered accommodation yesterday morning.

Crews from Clacton and Weeley were called to an automatic fire alarm near Regency Lodge, Elmden Court, Clacton.

On arrival smoke could be seen coming out of the windows on the second floor.

Watch Manager, Gary Clarke, said: "We had eight firefighters in breathing apparatus enter the building which was heavily smoke logged.Unfortunately one flat has been completely destroyed by the fire and the entire floor has been smoke damaged. We are working with partner agencies to support residents who have been temporarily displaced.

"I'd like to thank the crews who worked quickly and professionally in very difficult conditions to extinguish the fire and evacuate residents safely."

A fire investigation found that the cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette.

If you're a smoker, or you have a smoker living in your home, make sure you follow our advice to stay safe at home:

• Make sure your all smoking materials are fully extinguished

• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking any sort of drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning

• Never smoke in bed - if you need to lie down, don’t light up. You could doze off and set your bed on fire

• Never leave lit cigarettes 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. Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished

• Tap your ash into an ashtray, never a wastebasket containing other rubbish – and don’t let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the ashtray

• Use child safe matches and cigarette lighters and keep them safely out of the reach of children

• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - a working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999

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