Video: Message to invest in smoke alarms

Saturday 23rd January 2010, 9:52AM GMT.

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Get a smoke alarm and test it weekly – that is the stark message from Shropshire firefighters if householders want to avoid dying from toxic smoke in a fire.

The plea, from community fire safety officers at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, comes just days after a county student was critically injured after suffering toxic smoke inhalation in a blaze.

Student Kieran Murphy, from Broseley Wood, is recovering in hospital in Liverpool after he was rescued last week from Hope University in the city.

Firefighters said the 22-year-old was very close to death when they found him unconscious and not breathing in a kitchen surrounded by toxic smoke.

Guy Williams, of Tweedale fire station in Telford, said: “Toxic smoke affects your ability to breathe. If you do not have a working smoke alarm and test it weekly then you do take the risk of literally drowning in the smoke of a house fire.”

Free safety advice and a home visit from trained Shropshire fire safety crew is available by calling (01743) 260298.

View more: Shropshire Fire And Rescue Service news.