Discarded cigarette set decking alight

Firefighters are urging smokers to properly stub out cigarettes after a fire in Colchester was caused by a discarded cigarette earlier today. 

Crews were called to Erica Walk, Colchester today after reports of a fire. 

When firefighters arrived they found the decking of a terraced property on fire, which had spread to the gas meter and gas main. 

Crews extinguished the fire by 2.09pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette. 

Crew Manager Dave Farrant said: "When we arrived, the property was full of smoke which was coming in through the windows. Where the fire had spread to the gas main, the crew worked quickly to evacuate nearby properties and isolate the gas.

"If you smoke, please make sure to properly stub out your cigarette before discarding it, as it only takes a small ember from the lit cigarette to start a fire. 

“With the warmer weather we’ve been having, it’s especially important to double check cigarettes are properly extinguished as the dry conditions will help a fire spread faster. In this case we believe the discarded cigarette caught the dry timber of the decking alight." 

If you're a smoker or you have a smoker living in your home, make sure you follow our advice to stay safe at home:

• Make sure your all cigarettes are fully extinguished
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking any sort of drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It’s very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning
• Never smoke in bed - if you need to lie down, don’t light up. You could doze off and set your bed on fire
• Never leave lit cigarettes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down
• Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn. Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished
• Tap your ash into an ashtray, never a wastebasket containing other rubbish – and don’t let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the ashtray
• Use child safe matches and cigarette lighters and keep them safely out of the reach of children
• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - a working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999