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E-cigarette safety warning after Wirral house blaze Dog saves sleeping man from Wirral e-cigarette house fire
(35 minutes later)
An e-cigarette has sparked a large house fire, prompting renewed warnings about the dangers they can pose. A man has been saved by his dog as a fire sparked by an e-cigarette tore through the house where he was asleep.
A man who lived at the house in Upton, Wirral, was asleep when the blaze started. His dog woke him up in time for him to escape and call for help. He was able to escape the blaze, at a house in Upton, Wirral, suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke before calling firefighters for help.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the e-cigarette ignited while it was charging at the house in Norwich Drive in Upton, Wirral. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the e-cigarette had ignited while charging at the home in Norwich Drive.
A spokesman said e-cigarettes should never be left to charge unattended. A spokesman said the man had been lucky to survive, adding that e-cigarettes should never be left unattended.
Fierefighter Jo Stephens said the resident had been lucky to escape with his life. Fierefighter Jo Stephens said the man had been lucky to escape with his life.
He added: "Unfortunately he suffered slight smoke inhalation and the property was damaged by fire and smoke, but things could have been a lot worse.He added: "Unfortunately he suffered slight smoke inhalation and the property was damaged by fire and smoke, but things could have been a lot worse.
"We would urge people never to leave their e-cigarette on charge while they are asleep or away from the house, and to always read the safety advice enclosed in the packaging.""We would urge people never to leave their e-cigarette on charge while they are asleep or away from the house, and to always read the safety advice enclosed in the packaging."
The warning follows a nationwide alert regarding e-cigarettes issued by the Local Government Association (LGA).The warning follows a nationwide alert regarding e-cigarettes issued by the Local Government Association (LGA).
The LGA, which represents the 49 fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales, wants e-cigarette manufacturers to display warnings on packaging.The LGA, which represents the 49 fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales, wants e-cigarette manufacturers to display warnings on packaging.
It also discouraged people from using cheap or incompatible chargers for the devices.It also discouraged people from using cheap or incompatible chargers for the devices.