AN ELDERLY man had a ‘really lucky escape’ after a discarded cigarette sparked a blaze at his Poole flat.
Firefighters received 999 calls after smoke was spotted at the flat in Sea View Road, Upper Parkstone, around 10pm on Wednesday.
When they arrived the fire, that had taken hold in the pensioner’s dining room, had been put out – but the occupant needed treatment for smoke inhalation. He was later taken to Poole Hospital where emergency medics were standing by.
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Poole and Hamworthy commander Phil Allen, said: “As a fire service, we can’t say ‘Don’t smoke’ but we can say ‘If you’re going to smoke, please, please ensure that everything is extinguished into a suitable container before you go to bed or feel sleepy.’ “In this case the occupier had a really lucky escape.”
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