Emergency response as 7 fire engines rush to smoke bomb drama at Central Milton Keynes

Seven fire engines, 30 fire fighters and fire officers rushed to a 10-storey block of flats in Witan Gate East after thick smoke was reported at the premises.

They were fearing the worst and geared up for immediate evacuations and possible rescues.

But the incident, which happened yesterday (Tuesday December 9) at 3.22pm, turned out to be one of the most bizarre false alarms they had seen.

The smoke, actually came from … insect bombs.

One of the flat dwellers had bought the devices in a bid to control a pest problem. When ignited, the bombs work by releasing a fine insecticide-laden smoke (often permethrin), which fills an enclosed space, reaching cracks, crevices, and hidden areas to kill crawling and flying pests like bed bugs, moths, and fleas by attacking their nervous system.

In this case, the smoke released by the foggers was enough to set off the central fire alarm system in the block of flats. This triggers an emergency response at the city’s Blue Light Hub, mobilising all available fire engines in MK and some from neighbouring Bedfordshire as well as other parts of Bucks.

A spokesperson for Bucks Fire and Rescue service said: “Seven appliances and crews and three officers were mobilised to a 10-storey block of flats following a smoke alarm activation and reports of a smell of smoke.

“The appliances and crews attending were from West Ashland (two fire engines and the turntable ladder), Newport Pagnell, Broughton, Buckingham and Bedfordshire.”

The spokesperson added: “The location of the smoke was identified as being a flat on the first floor. Firefighters identified the cause as insect bombs. The ventilated the flat and spoke with the occupant.”

The incident has now been officially noted as a ‘false alarm’.

Meanwhile, the use of2 insect bombs prompted a warning from a Fire and Rescue in Hampshire last year after similar false alarms were experienced.

A spokesperson said: The smoke clouds produced by these devices have prompted residents and passers-by to assume a fire was burning, before doing the responsible thing in informing the fire service.

The incidents, caused by the chemicals designed to kill insects and fleas by fumigating the property, have seen firefighters respond arriving on scene and gaining entry to discover it was a false alarm.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Station Manager Pete McClemont said at the time: “The fumes which these devices can generate are enough to set off smoke alarms in your home. Smoke bombs are best left to pest control experts, who know how to manage the risks.

“The people who reported these incidents to the fire service by dialling 999 did exactly the right thing upon hearing an alarm and seeing smoke.

“Had they known that smoke bombs were in use inside, that information could have been shared with us at the time of call and a more appropriate response sent, keeping our fire engines available to respond to real emergencies.”