Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England)

FIRE chiefs today reveal shocking new figures which show more people have died in blazes since January than in the whole of last year.

Fire fatalities have rocketed to 12 since January, with faulty electrical items, alcohol-related accidents and cigarettes all cited forthe soaring number of deaths in the first half of 2009.

Last night officials from fire services across the North East warned homeowners to be vigilant and urged them to fit fire alarms.

Their warning comes just days after a pensioner was killed as a blaze tore through his semi-detached home in Wayside Court, Bearpark, near Durham City.

Paul Reay, director of community safety with Durham and DarlingtonFire and Rescue Service, said: "These figures have been a huge shockand they are distressing for us because everyone has taken it quite personally." Across the North East, there have been 12 deaths during 2009, compared to just eight for the 2007/08 financial year.

Dave Simpson, assistant chief fire officer with Tyne and Wear, said none of the homes where people have died from fires this year have had working smoke alarms.

Copyright 2009 Gale Group, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
May 26, 2009