FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning to anyone without a smoke alarm after a homeowner near Alresford had a lucky escape.

A crew from Winchester Fire Station and Alresford Fire Station were called to a property fire on Tuesday evening at a house in Bishops Sutton Road.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen, and they believe it may have been due to an electrical fault with the fridge.

The crews used four breathing apparatus followed by positive pressure ventilation to clear the smoke.

However they also discovered the occupant of the home, who was not hurt in the fire, had not installed a smoke alarm which could have been fatal. 

Crew manager at Winchester Fire Station Nick Mills, said: "There were no smoke detectors in the property and if the occupant had been asleep when this happened it could have been much worse.

"Anyone who has not got a smoke detectors needs to consider installing them.

"If they are over the age of 65 they can go online and apply to Hampshire Fire and Rescue for a safe and well visit where we can check if they have any working smoke detectors and install them."

The kitchen was damaged and the house mainly had smoke damage caused by the fire which started at 6.35pm, and was put out by firefighters by 7pm 

Hampshire Chronicle:

(Bishops Sutton Road, picture credit Google Maps) 

To find out more about safe and well visits you can visit the Hampshire Fire and Rescue website page on http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/keeping-safe/fire-safety-in-the-home/safe-and-well/