FIREFIGHTERS have visited the street where two children were killed in a fire to offer advice and reassurance to residents.

Twenty-five fire brigade staff visited Clive Road in Belvedere last Saturday, where they knocked on doors and offered to carry out fire safety checks, handed out leaflets and gave advice about smoke alarms.

Firefighters who had rescued the family from their first-floor flat laid flowers outside the house Borough fire commander Cyril O’Brien took the decision to make the visit following the fatal fire in the road on October 27 in which Tiffany Charlesworth, five, and her brother, three-year-old Dylan, were killed.

Their mother Fiona, 27, is still fighting for her life in hospital.

The firefighters, who brought two fire engines with them, were joined by members of the safer neighbourhood policing team, two Belvedere councillors and members of Bexley’s Community Safety Partnership.

Among the properties visited was the home of Betty Osman, who live downstairs from the Charlesworth family.

She was given new smoke alarms and Bexley Council provided her with equipment to help dry out the water damage her flat suffered in the fire.

Mr O’Brien said: “We visited homes in Clive Road and delivered leaflets in neighbouring Ruskin Road.

“We were very well received.”

MOTHER STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION

THE mother of the two children killed in a flat fire in Belvedere, was still fighting for her life this week.

Her family has described her condition as “critical”.

Fiona Charlesworth, 27, has returned to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after being transferred briefly to the James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth, where she underwent oxygen treatment in a decompression chamber for her damaged lungs.

Two of her three children, Tiffany, five, and three-year-old Dylan died in the fire at the family’s first floor flat in Clive Road, on October 27.

Tiffany died shortly after her arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, while Dylan was transferred to a specialist paediatric unit at Guy’s Hospital in London, where he also died.

Ms Charlesworth’s other son, Charlie, 10, was staying away from home on the night of the fire.

It is still not known what caused the blaze.

An investigation is under way but police have ruled out arson.

REDUCING THE RISK

FOLLOWING the fatal blaze in Clive Road, Belvedere, borough fire commander Cyril O’Brien has issued advice on reducing risks in the home.

Mr O’Brien told News Shopper: “It is too early to comment on the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire in Clive Road, though I feel now may be a wise time to highlight things people can do themselves to reduce the risk of fire.”

He said the most important message was that every home should have at least one working smoke alarm, which should be tested at least once a week.

He added: “Ideally, if your home has more than one level, fit one alarm at the bottom of the staircase and further alarms on each landing.”

Fire safety in the home:

  • The most important message is that a working smoke alarm provides a vital early warning and extra time to escape if there is a fire. Every home should have at least one working smoke alarm, tested at least once a week. Ideally, if your home has more than one level fit one alarm at the bottom of the staircase and further alarms on each landing.

Smoking:

  • Forty per cent of deaths caused by fires in the home are caused by cigarettes, cigars or tobacco. In fact, households with a smoker are almost one-and-a-half times more likely to suffer a fire than non-smoking households.
  • Make sure your cigarette, cigar or pipe is out when you’ve finished smoking it.
  • Never leave lit cigarettes unattended.
  • Take extra care when you’re tired, have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that can make you drowsy. It’s very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Always use a proper, heavy ashtray that won’t tip over easily and is made of a material that won’t burn.
  • Never tip ash into a wastebasket.
  • Empty ashtrays frequently – wet the contents before emptying them into a metal bin outside the home.
  • Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

Heaters (especially relevant with the onset of cold weather):

  • Never sit too close to the heater as you could set light to your clothes or chair, especially if you fall asleep.
  • Heaters should stand where they can't be knocked over, away from beds, furniture and fabrics.
  • Do not put anything on the heater or use it to dry clothes.
  • Make sure all heaters are guarded, particularly if you have children.
  • Never try to move any portable heater while it is alight/switched on – always turn it off and allow it to cool first.

Gas heaters:

  • Ensure the heater conforms to British Standards, and have it serviced regularly.
  • When changing a gas heater cylinder, try to do this in open air. Otherwise, open windows and doors to increase ventilation. Check that the valve on the empty cylinder is closed before disconnecting it and do not turn on the valve of the new cylinder until it is securely connected to the heater.
  • Store spare cylinders upright and outside whenever possible. Never store them in basements, under stairs or in cupboards containing electric meters or equipment.

Open fires and chimneys:

  • Have your chimney swept first before lighting the first fire of winter and don't allow soot or ash to build up.
  • Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure it is sound and that sparks or fumes can't escape through cracks or broken bricks.
  • Use a fireguard.
  • Burn the recommended fuels only.
  • Don’t overload the grate or build fires too high; let fires burn down well before going to bed; and check the hearth, floor and furnishings near the fire for sparks or embers.

Celebrate Safely:

  • The possibility of a fire is the last thing on our minds but many events including Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and Eid ul-Fitr, bring their own specific fire risks.
  • It’s easy to forget safety when you’ve had a few drinks, so if celebrating with alcohol take extra care. Never cook when you have been drinking alcohol.
  • If you are using decorative lights make sure they meet British Standards and are in good working order.
  • Make sure decorative lights are turned off at night and when you go out.
  • Make sure the plug for the decorative lights has the right size fuse (refer to the manufacturers instructions).
  • Candles are often used during celebrations and festivals – never leave them burning unattended or close to curtains or other objects that could catch fire.
  • Keep decorations, wrapping paper and greetings cards away from decorative lights, candles, fireplaces and heaters.
  • If you are using fireworks, always follow the firework code.
  • If you are having a party, or inviting guests to stay, make sure they know how to escape if a fire starts. Tell your guests where you keep door and window keys. If guests are smoking, ensure cigarettes are put out carefully in a proper ash tray.
  • Preparing food is a major part of most festivals, but many fires start in the kitchen. Cooking should never be left unattended and extra care should be taken when preparing deep fried food.