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Residents in an area of Kendal are being targeted by firefighters with a high-profile campaign after the death of a man on Sunday in a house fire.

A leaflet drop has already been completed on people living on Sparrowmire Lane, Elm Court, Low Mead and High Mead in the town and firefighters will now go door-to-door for the rest of the week to offer free home fire safety visits and install free smoke alarms where needed.

On Sunday morning a 66-year-old man died after a fire started within the ground floor of his home in Sparrowmire Lane. There is no evidence that the property had a working smoke alarm. 

Once these streets have been visited, residents in neighbouring Newbiggin will be targeted with a leaflet drop and properties that have yet to receive a home fire safety visit will be contacted.

William Wyllie, locality manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The death of this man on Sunday was a terrible tragedy and it is vital that we use the heightened awareness to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

"I can’t underline how important it is for every property to have a working smoke alarm and what happened on Sunday reinforces this. We will be making sure that homes in the area have a working smoke alarm and if not then we can fit it for free."

Every home in Cumbria is eligible to apply for a free home safety visit to help residents deal with any potential fire hazards in your home. To arrange a visit please ring freephone 0800 358 4777 or contact your local fire station. The service is completely free and can only be done by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.

Alternatively, for more advice on how to keep you and your family safe from fire, including how to regularly test and maintain your smoke alarms, log onto www.cumbriafire.gov.uk (external link)

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226335