Faulty cigarette lighter suspected to be the cause of Leighton Buzzard bedroom fire

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice after responding to a small bedroom fire in Leighton Buzzard - suspected to be caused by a faulty cigarette lighter.

Firefighters were called out to a reported bedroom fire at a property on Nelson Road, at 11.30am on Thursday, September 10. Two crews from Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable attended.

A noise alerted the occupier, and on entering a bedroom she was confronted with a small fire contained within a laundry basket. With a wet towel she managed to throw it outside just before firefighters arrived.

Following a detailed investigation, the fire service determined the most likely cause was a faulty cigarette lighter which had been left in the basket.

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue said: "The fire involved a gas cigarette lighter, which was put out on arrival. A safe and well visit was then carried out by fire crews."

Whilst the resident did everything right, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is taking the opportunity to highlight the potential issues regarding smoking and smoking materials:

- Always ensure any cigarettes are put out, completely.

- Always use a substantial ashtray that won't be knocked over.

- Never smoke in bed or when tired.

- Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach.

- Encourage any smokers in the household to smoke outside.

- Smoking related fires are the biggest killers in accidental fires in the home.

- Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home. At least one on every level of the property.