A major house fire broke out in a residential area of Kennington, Ashford this morning after a laptop left unattended on charge is believed to have accidentally caught alight, devastating a bedroom and filling the property with thick smoke.
Two fire engines rushed to the scene on Alderney Way at 9:59 AM following reports of the blaze. Crews, donning breathing apparatus, quickly entered the property and used a high-pressure hose reel jet to extinguish the flames. Firefighters worked swiftly, containing the incident within 26 minutes. A high-powered positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan was then deployed to clear the remaining smoke from the home.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the incident. Fire crews spent time offering crucial reassurance and fire safety advice to the shaken residents and neighbouring families following the successful operation.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of electrical items,” said a spokesperson for the local fire service. “While the cause was accidental, the damage is severe. We urge residents to be vigilant about charging practices.”
Following the near-miss, the service issued an urgent reminder to the public regarding electrical safety. They emphasized the importance of only using certified chargers and devices from reputable suppliers. Residents should never leave electrical items charging while they are asleep or leave the house, and always unplug them once fully charged. Furthermore, devices should be charged on a non-flammable surface, kept well away from combustible materials like bedding or curtains. The fire service also stressed that checking smoke alarms regularly remains the most vital line of defence.
The incident was closed at 10:25 AM. An investigation confirmed the fire started due to the electrical item being left on charge.