‘Significant’ house fire sparked by overloaded plug socket

A warning has been issued after a ‘significant’ house fire was sparked by overloaded plug sockets.

Three people escaped the smoke-logged property on Bridge Road, in Chichester, on April 9, before firefighters arrived to tackle the blaze.

Crews from Bognor Regis and Chichester wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the first-floor fire, while the three occupants were treated for minor smoke inhalation by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

An investigation subsequently revealed the blaze was caused by an electrical fault likely linked to the sockets.

Fire chiefs are now urging residents to check their extension leads and avoid leaving devices charging unattended on beds or carpets.

Nathan Cross, head of prevention, said: “Over half of all accidental dwelling fires in the country are caused by electrical items, and with the use of electrical items continually on the rise, we all have a part to play in preventing fires from happening within our homes.

“However, the most important thing you can do to keep your household safe is to fit working smoke alarms on each floor.

“You are ten times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there is no working smoke alarm, so to say it’s a life-saving piece of equipment would be an understatement.”

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The service advised residents to use registered products and never plug one extension lead into another.

Officials also warned that overloading wall sockets with multiple appliances could cause them to overheat and start a fire.

Last January, another first-floor bedroom fire in Chichester was traced to an electric blanket laid on a blow-up bed, which firefighters said overheated and ignited the materials.

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