Description:

A fire has destroyed a home in Pokesdown only one week after the smoke alarms were removed. The alarms had begun to run out of battery and were making an irritating bleeping noise alerting the owner to the danger.  Instead of replacing these however the device was disabled by the occupants.

The residents - Pamela Adams and her 13 year old son Alfie Adams-House were not injured although the contents of their home had been destroyed. Fire safety officials were unable to locate the source of the blaze which took hold on Saturday 24^th April as the damage was so severe. They were however able to identify which bedroom it originated in.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service have issued a reminder to all that a free check of a home’s fire safety levels is available to anyone in the area who contacts them.  They released a statement earlier this year which included the following advice: ‘Working smoke alarms do save lives and in the case of a fire will alert you to the danger. Make sure that batteries are tested every week and close all doors when you go to bed to contain any fire or smoke which may start.”’

Friends are providing clothing and shelter, unfortunately the occupants' belongings were not insured.