Cigarette causes fire at elderly person's complex

Wed, 23 Nov 2011

Fire crews are warning the public not to put cigarette ash into a wastepaper bin following a fire at an elderly person's sheltered housing complex in Douglas.

Officers were called to Waverley Terrace in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A bin within a flat on the complex had caught fire after a lit cigarette was placed in the bin.

The fire had been put out before crews arrived, but they remained at the property to clear the smoke and reset the fire alarm.

Fire safety officials advise using a heavy ashtray for cigarette ash, taking extra care if smoking whilst drowsy or after drinking alcohol, and not lighting up whilst in bed.