09 January 2025
The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind everyone of the
importance of having working smoke detectors within their properties and shared
hallways.
Last night, at approximately 7.50pm, the Emergency Services Control Centre received
multiple calls for a basement fire in St Helier.
Three fire engines – including the Western Station on-call crew – were dispatched to the
incident where upon arrival, two firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled a fire in an
electrical cupboard.
One man was rescued from the top floor wearing a rescue hood, to protect him from
smoke inhalation while exiting.
Two adults and two children were taken to hospital by paramedics. The patients were
discharged this morning.
The smoke from the fire had travelled to multiple flats within the building, however none of
the four properties had working smoke alarms.
Duty Station Commander, Paul McGrath said: “Smoke and heat alarms save lives. During a
fire, more people die from smoke or gas inhalation than burns.
“If working smoke alarms were in place, the residents would have had warning of the fire
and been able to evacuate the building, safely, in plenty of time.”
To ensure you and your family are fully protected follow this advice:
- fit a minimum of one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably
in a circulation space such as a hallway or landing
- fit additional alarms in other rooms that are regularly inhabited and where there
could be a risk of a fire starting
- do not fit a smoke alarm in your kitchen, bathroom or garage (if used as a garage)
- test your alarms at least monthly, by pressing the test button until the alarm
sounds. If the alarm ever starts to ‘beep’ regularly, replace the battery as soon as
possible
- if you experience a false alarm (and there is no fire), you can silence the alarm by
pressing the same test button
- after 10 years, replace your smoke alarm.
You can also carry out your own home fire risk assessment for free, online.
The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service offers the Home Fire Safety Check, which
takes the answers given and creates an action plan giving basic tips to help keep your
home fire safe.
When using the tool, you are asked for information about each part of your property, with
the answers then generating easy-to-follow advice that can be kept and referred to at any
time.
The online home safety check tool does not replace the in-person visits the Service offers
to vulnerable residents in the Island.
gov.je