Fire at Westhampnett home after phone charger left on mattress

Four crews, including two pumps from Chichester and two from Bognor, plus the aerial ladder platform from Worthing, were called to the scene in Arundel Way shortly after 5.30pm.

Firefighters tackled a bedroom fire which caused damage to a mattress, carpet and walls.

The family were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms, a spokesman said.

The fire involved a phone charger left on a mattress but not plugged into a phone, according to the fire service.

Nicki Peddle, Head of Prevention at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: “This incident highlights the danger of electrical fires and that they can happen at any time.

“Never leave electrical items such as laptops or mobiles on a flammable surface.

“It is also important that you turn off chargers to electrical items like these and unplug them before you go to bed.

“Our advice is to be as prepared as possible in the event of fire, by ensuring that working smoke alarms are fitted in your home and that you have clear escape routes to enable you and your family to exit your home as quickly as possible.

“The early warning provided by the smoke alarms during the incident on Sunday ensured the family could act quickly and call 999, preventing the fire from spreading.”

Some simple steps you can take to help prevent an electrical fire in your home:

– DON’T overload plug sockets

– DO regularly check for worn or frayed wires

– DO unplug appliances when not in use

– DO Keep appliances clean and in good working order

– DO fully unwind extension cables prior to their use.

For more information please see www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire