Property Fire in Haverfordwest – Smoking Fire Safety Reminder

At 5.11pm on Wednesday, July 9^th, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Milford Haven and Haverfordwest Fire Stations were called to an incident at Fleming Crescent in Haverfordwest.

Crews responded to a fire within a three-storey block of flats, measuring approximately 20 metres by 8 metres.  The fire was confined to the property’s communal area on the first floor.

All occupants had evacuated the property prior to the arrival of crews.  Crews utilised one hose reel jet, one positive pressure ventilation fan, one triple-extension ladder and one thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.

After extinguishing the fire, Firefighters delivered fire safety advice and information to the property’s occupants as well as to neighbouring properties.  Crews left the scene at 6.39pm.

Fire Safety Warning

This fire was caused by discarded smoking materials in the property's waste disposal area, the attached images show the aftermath of the fire. 

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is issuing a fire safety reminder to take extra care when disposing of smoking materials.  Fortunately, there were no injuries at this incident.  While damage was caused to the property, the outcome could have been much worse.

Improperly discarded cigarettes, matches and other smoking items remain a leading cause of residential fires.  If you or someone in your home smokes, the following simple steps can prevent a fire from happening in your home:

• Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished. Put it out, right out!
• Do not empty your ashtray into a bin because this can easily cause a fire. A drop of water in the ashtray will help to make it safe, then leave it to cool down fully.
• Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down
• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - a working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999. You can get a ten-year smoke alarm for roughly the same price as two packets of cigarettes.

More smoking safety advice is available here - https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/your-safety/in-your-home/smoking-fire-safety-tips/