Faulty speaker likely cause of family home blaze

Friday 13 April 2018

Fire and rescue officials believe a faulty speaker was behind a blaze that charred a bedroom in a St. Helier family home, putting a pet cat at risk.

A family and their pet dog made a lucky escape from the fire after being alerted by a smoke alarm shortly after 13:00 yesterday.

Two fire engines and nine firefighters were sent to the town site, where they were faced with thick smoke from a first floor window on arrival. 

Pictured: Smoke emanates from the property’s upper window. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

It later became apparent that the family’s cat had gone missing, prompting a rescue mission by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus who were set to tackle the bedroom blaze.

After bringing the fire under control using a hose reel and clearing the remaining smoke using a ventilation fan, they also fortunately found the cat “safe and well” in an unaffected area of the property.

The Fire Service’s initial investigations concluded that a faulty rechargeable speaker was most likely to have sparked the fire.

Pictured: A firefighter examines the substantial damage to the bedroom. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

Crew Commander Andy Gallie has since issued a stern reminder to islanders: “This incident has once again highlighted the importance of a working smoke alarm, as it was this which initially alerted the occupiers to a developing fire within the bedroom. 

He also praised the family for their quick thinking in dealing with the fire: “Jersey Fire and Rescue would like to commend the actions of the household in closing the door to the fire room, which significantly reduced smoke damage to the rest of the property, prior to leaving the house and raising the alarm.”