Cooking causes most house fires... adding drink is a recipe for disaster
Safety visits can cut the risks
But no amount of training could prepare her for her first fatality.
It happened in 2002, when a lit cigarette caused flames to rip through a smoker’s home. Smoking is one of the main causes of fire deaths in Scotland.
Debbie, 37, who serves with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at Lanark Fire Station, was the one who discovered the male victim’s badlyburned body. Despite having 16 years’ experience in the fire service behind her, this tragic incident is still one that remains in Debbie’s mind. She said: “I remember the call-out came on the early hours of a winter’s morning. The snow was knee-deep, and we had to make our way to a block of flats in treacherous conditions after reports of a person inside.
“On arrival, there was no sign of fire – that is very worrying for a firefighter as it means a slow-burning fire over a long period of time. When I went in with the crew it was so difficult to see and you lose all your senses, so you have to rely on touch and feel. That’s when I came across a fatality...my first ever.
“Visibility was so poor I couldn’t even tell at first if it was a man or woman.
“The fire had been caused by smoking and the occupant had fallen asleep, perhaps under the influence of alcohol, and his cigarette had burned down and down. It was a terrible tragedy – and an avoidable one.
“In many fires, people have also been drinking or taking medication and are sleepy.”
The majority of house fires start in the kitchen and, as the festive season approaches, firefighters are warning of the dangers of cooking while under the influence of alcohol when the risk of accidents or leaving heating pots
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Many fires are avoidable – often we find people have been drinking
and pans unattended on the stove or in the oven increases.
Debbie added: “The fact is that for many years cooking has been the main cause of house fires in Scotland.
“In this day and age, it is hard to believe that people still don’t have smoke alarms installed. This is something we can do free of charge through a home fire safety visit.”
Spreading the fire prevention message is an important part of recently-promoted crew manager Debbie’s job. She assists with the dayto-day running of the watch, arranges training sessions and visits in the community, and still attends 999 calls, so continues to see the “sheer devastation” caused by fire first-hand.
Her main purpose of joining the fire service was to help people, so when the fire and rescue service was recruiting retained firefighters in the Carluke area (Debbie’s hometown), she did not hesitate to apply.
For the next three years she carried a pager while working in a retail role in the town, responding to emergency call-outs as and when required.
Debbie said: “Those three years as a retained firefighter gave me an invaluable insight into the service, and prepared me for becoming a full-time firefighter.”
To arrange a Home Fire Safety Visit you can call text to from your mobile phone or visit to find the number of your local fire station, or complete an online form. ● If you’re feeling hungry after a night out don’t cook, consider buying pre-cooked food or prepare a cold snack instead.
● Never walk away while you’re cooking. It’s easy to get distracted and it only takes a moment for a fire to start.
● Take extra care if you suffer from any illness, disability or are taking prescribed medications that make you less alert.
● If you’re tired, have
firescotland.gov.uk
0800 0731 999,
‘FIRE’
80800
been drinking alcohol, or taking drugs, you are at a greater risk from fire and should avoid cooking.
Fit a heat alarm in your kitchen. These are triggered by sudden rises in temperature and can detect fire quickly.
Make sure your home has working smoke alarms – one for each level. They will alert you as soon as a fire starts, giving you a vital warning that could save your life and those of your loved ones.
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