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Chief warns of 'negligent' deaths Fire 'dicing with death' warning
(about 1 hour later)
The chief of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has called for members of the public to act more responsibly after a rise in "negligent deaths". The head of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has called for people to act more responsibly after a rise in "negligent deaths".
Speaking after four fire deaths in a month, Simon Smith said some people were "dicing with death" at home. Speaking after three fire deaths in a month, Simon Smith said some people were "dicing with death" at home.
He said negligence included failing to fit smoke alarms and cooking while under the influence of alcohol.He said negligence included failing to fit smoke alarms and cooking while under the influence of alcohol.
A man, 78, died on Sunday after a fire. Another man, 21, is critical after a separate house fire. A man, 78, was seriously hurt on Sunday after a fire. Another man, 21, is critical after a separate house blaze.
Mr Smith's warning came after a 75-year-old man died on Sunday after a fire at his home in Flint, Flintshire. Mr Smith's warning came after a 75-year-old man was seriously injured on Sunday after a fire at his home in Flint, Flintshire.
He had been smoking in bed while using oxygen equipment and suffered superficial burns and smoke inhalation. It is understood the man may have been smoking in bed while using oxygen equipment and suffered superficial burns and smoke inhalation.
He was being treated for other serious underlying medical conditions. He is being treated for other serious underlying medical conditions.
We are no longer experiencing accidental deaths in homes due to fire but negligent deaths - and the negligence is on the part of members of the public Simon Smith, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service chiefWe are no longer experiencing accidental deaths in homes due to fire but negligent deaths - and the negligence is on the part of members of the public Simon Smith, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service chief
A firefighter suffered a broken leg during the incident.A firefighter suffered a broken leg during the incident.
A 21-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after a fire at his home in Rhyl, Denbighshire, when a chip pan was left unattended in the early hours on Monday.A 21-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after a fire at his home in Rhyl, Denbighshire, when a chip pan was left unattended in the early hours on Monday.
Three other people were treated for smoke inhalation.Three other people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Mr Smith said: "We are clearly fighting a losing battle in our plight to promote fire safety in our region.Mr Smith said: "We are clearly fighting a losing battle in our plight to promote fire safety in our region.
"The sad thing is that we cannot control other people's behaviour."The sad thing is that we cannot control other people's behaviour.
"We are no longer experiencing accidental deaths in homes due to fire, but negligent deaths and the negligence is on the part of members of the public."We are no longer experiencing accidental deaths in homes due to fire, but negligent deaths and the negligence is on the part of members of the public.
"If people still do not have working smoke alarms in their homes when we fit them for free, if they insist on using a chip pan when we provide safer deep fat fryers for free, if they choose to smoke in bed, especially whilst using a naked flame in the presence of oxygen, and on top of everything decide to do this after drinking alcohol as well - then they are dicing with death."If people still do not have working smoke alarms in their homes when we fit them for free, if they insist on using a chip pan when we provide safer deep fat fryers for free, if they choose to smoke in bed, especially whilst using a naked flame in the presence of oxygen, and on top of everything decide to do this after drinking alcohol as well - then they are dicing with death.
"We are powerless to prevent this."We are powerless to prevent this.
"However, what really concerns me is that such people are putting the lives of others at serious risk too - be they carers, friends, relatives, neighbours, firefighters or other members of the emergency services - all are being put in unnecessary danger by such careless behaviour.""However, what really concerns me is that such people are putting the lives of others at serious risk too - be they carers, friends, relatives, neighbours, firefighters or other members of the emergency services - all are being put in unnecessary danger by such careless behaviour."
Mr Smith said he was "pleading" with people to examine their behaviour and asked for anyone who knows of somebody who is at risk, or dependant, to contact the fire service for a safety check.Mr Smith said he was "pleading" with people to examine their behaviour and asked for anyone who knows of somebody who is at risk, or dependant, to contact the fire service for a safety check.
He added: "It really could mean the difference between life or death and that death could even be yours."He added: "It really could mean the difference between life or death and that death could even be yours."