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Carlisle man burned to death in chair | Carlisle man burned to death in chair |
(35 minutes later) | |
A 68-year-old man died in his chair after a discarded match set it on fire, the fire service has said. | A 68-year-old man died in his chair after a discarded match set it on fire, the fire service has said. |
Firefighters said the chair became engulfed in flames while the victim was sitting in it at the flat in Newton Close, Carlisle, on Wednesday evening. | Firefighters said the chair became engulfed in flames while the victim was sitting in it at the flat in Newton Close, Carlisle, on Wednesday evening. |
The chair was old and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service urged householders to replace non flame-resistant furniture. | |
A spokesman said the man had been too overcome by flames and smoke to escape. | A spokesman said the man had been too overcome by flames and smoke to escape. |
It is believed the match had been thrown into a bin in the living room of the property without being put out properly. | It is believed the match had been thrown into a bin in the living room of the property without being put out properly. |
'Spread quickly' | 'Spread quickly' |
Firefighters using breathing apparatus had to force their way into the flat after being called just after 19:00 BST. | Firefighters using breathing apparatus had to force their way into the flat after being called just after 19:00 BST. |
Cumbria's assistant chief fire officer Adrian Buckle said: "This tragedy highlights the importance of fire retardant furniture, cushions and bedding. | Cumbria's assistant chief fire officer Adrian Buckle said: "This tragedy highlights the importance of fire retardant furniture, cushions and bedding. |
"Due to its age, the chair was constructed of non-fire retardant foam and fibre filling which the initial fire investigation has identified as the primary cause of the blaze developing. | "Due to its age, the chair was constructed of non-fire retardant foam and fibre filling which the initial fire investigation has identified as the primary cause of the blaze developing. |
"Fire can spread incredibly quickly and it takes hold much more rapidly if it involves older items that don't conform to current fire safety standards." | "Fire can spread incredibly quickly and it takes hold much more rapidly if it involves older items that don't conform to current fire safety standards." |
He added: "I'd urge people to check items around their home to make sure they are fire retardant and look at updating them if possible. | He added: "I'd urge people to check items around their home to make sure they are fire retardant and look at updating them if possible. |
"Replacing out-of-date furniture does not need to be a major expense - many second-hand furniture stores and social enterprises such as Impact stock furniture that meets modern standards." | "Replacing out-of-date furniture does not need to be a major expense - many second-hand furniture stores and social enterprises such as Impact stock furniture that meets modern standards." |
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