Safety fears over MK's fire hotspot estate

A man who was burnt to death while trying to extinguish a blazing chip pan has sparked fears over MK's fire hotspot.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Mar 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 10th Mar 2016, 15:46 BST
Fishermead Boulevard, FishermeadFishermead Boulevard, Fishermead
Fishermead Boulevard, Fishermead

Cries for help were heard just moments before he was killed while cooking a late-night snack at his home in Fishermead.

Firefighters said the city centre estate is at greater risk of fires than the average area – and in the past two years alone they have given safety advice to 450 households.

Crews have even offered to buy temperature controlled deep-fat fryers for residents if they agreeto throw away their old-fashioned chip pans.

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Following the pensioner’s death on Sunday night, the city’s fire service has visited the estate every day to offer free home safety checks.

A joint meeting with local authorities to highlight key dangers is to be held next week.

A Bucks Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “This was a stark and tragic reminder of what can happen when it all goes wrong.

“We care about everyone’s fire safety, but Fishermead has always been high on our priority list because the demographics show a higher number of people at risk of having a fire there than the average.

“I am sure this tragic death will bring the dangers more sharply into focus for residents.”

Police believe the man, said to be in his 60s, was killed as he desperately trying to put out the flames from overheated chip pan oil which had escalated out of control.

He was unconscious when firefighters pulled him out of the burning three-storey building in Fishermead Boulevard at around 11pm.

Paramedics worked hard to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene.

His injured wife survived the flames thanks to firefighters who carried her out from the clouds of smoke.

An investigation is now under way to determine the cause of the fire, but police do not believe it to be suspicious.

Terry Baines, a spokesman for the Fishermead Residents’ Association, said: “We wish to pass on our condolences to the family and are here on the estate if they want or need help in any way.”

> To hear safety advice from the fire service visit the Fishermead Residents’ Association meeting at 7.30pm on Monday, March 21 at the Trinity Centre.

Related topics:Terry BainesPolice