Fire investigators reveal cause of Derbyshire house blaze which left man fighting for his life

Firefighters, police and the air and land ambulance were called to the blaze on High Street, Tibshelf, at 12.50pm on Tuesday, May 19, after a call from a neighbour who had seen smoke coming from the front door.

A man was rescued from the first floor of the building and taken to hospital by paramedics where he remains with life threatening injuries.

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Fire investigation officer, Station Manager Paul Smith, said: “This accidental fire serves as a stark reminder how quickly smoking materials can lead to a serious fire.

“I’d like to remind people to ensure that if they are smoking in the home, they follow some simple precautions to prevent a fire and serious injury.”

Advice from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service includes:

- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended, especially when children are present;

- Always use a suitable ashtray, never put ash straight into a bin with other rubbish;

- Remove ash deposits from ashtrays regularly;

- Always use child-resistant lighters and matches and store them out of reach from children;

- Take extra care when you are tired - falling asleep whilst smoking is the most common cause of smoking related fires.

For more information about staying safe in your home, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk alternatively follow and like @DerbyshireFRS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.