FIRE service staff were out in force in Tavistock and the surrounding areas this week, offering free home safety checks and providing other advice, following a fatal house fire in the town earlier this month.

During the community safety event on Tuesday and Wednesday, staff were available to speak to the public at Abbey Surgery all day and at the Anchorage Centre after courses.

The team also worked with the police neighbourhood team to offer support to some of the most vulnerable members of the local community.

The safety campaign followed the tragic death of a man in a fire at his Tavistock home on the morning of November 8.

Crew manager Neil Willmott, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘No-one should be worried about calling us for help or on behalf of a person they know or care for. We can arrange to visit people’s homes to give advice that will help make them safer, including the fitting of smoke alarms free of charge. But if we don’t know where they are or their circumstances, we can’t help them.

‘That’s why we’re asking for the public’s help. If you’re worried about a family member, friend or neighbour, ask if you can call us on their behalf and we will be pleased to help.’

There are many factors which may contribute to a death occurring from fire and one of the most common is that the deceased lived alone. If that is combined with one or more other risk factors, such as poor mobility, health issues, drinking alcohol or smoking, the person is considered to be at a higher risk of experiencing a serious fire.

Neil added: ‘We’d like to thank Louisa Daley of West Devon Borough Council for all her help in making vital links in the communities, PC Cathy Veale, the local neighbourhood beat manager, TASS for its kind offer to engage with its users and Abbey Surgery for all the assistance and use of the premises for the two days.’

Cllr Robin Musgrave, from the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnerhip, said: ‘I urge residents to request a free fire safety check. This will make your home safer and could even save lives.

‘We work in partnership to make our communities as safe as possible and working closely with the fire and rescue service, we are encouraging residents to think of their neighbours or those who could be in need of advice and let them know about the free fire safety checks.’

The public is invited to call Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service free on 0800 0502999 to request free home safety advice.