Cooking Caused Deadly Canford Heath House Fire

30 August 2013, 14:53

An investigation's found cooking caused a house fire in Poole, which killed a man in his 60s.

Fire crews were called to the semi-detached house in Beamish Road at around 4.50pm on Tuesday 27 August. The fire had broken out in the kitchen.

They rescued the man in his 60s and he was taken to Poole Hospital where he later died. Next of kin and the coroner have been told.

Several pet snakes were rescued as well, and handed to the RSPCA.

Station Manager Clem Stanley, Fire Investigation Officer said:

"Following a thorough investigation between Dorset Fire and Rescue and Dorset Police, we believe the cause of this fire to have been cooking.

"This is one of the biggest causes of fires in Dorset. Over 50% of fires in the home we attended in the last year started in the kitchen.

"Unfortunately there were no working smoke alarms in this property, which has resulted in tragic consequences. Please use this as a reminder to ensure you have smoke alarms at home and they are tested once a week. They will give you an early warning to a fire and give you those vital few minutes to escape before calling 999."