Overloaded sockets behind Wigginton Road fire in Tamworth

Nov 02, 2023

Thankfully no one was injured in the blaze in Tamworth

Get the latest news from Tamworth straight to your inbox

We have more newsletters

Firefighters have issued advice after two separate unrelated Tamworth fires on the same night last night. The first fire sparked after plug sockets were overloaded. Crews were pictured at the scene off Wigginton Road in Gatcombe Place after 6pm on Wednesday, June 8. Thankfully no one was injured.

Then around five hours later crews attended an accidental log burner fire in Rainscar, Stonydelph.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed: "We are urging residents to ensure their electrical items are safe to use following a fire caused by overloaded sockets in Tamworth.

"Crews from Tamworth and Tamworth Mercia were called to Wigginton Road just before 6.15pm yesterday (Wednesday, 7 June). They found a fire inside which had sparked after plug sockets had been overloaded.

"Thankfully, firefighters managed to extinguish the fire quickly and no one was injured inside."

It comes after recent statistics showed that faulty electrics, like overloaded sockets and defective electrical appliances, caused around 7,000 house fires in Staffordshire.

READ MORE: 'We are devastated' - Tributes to 'beautiful and loving' teenagers who died after Whittington crash

Group manager Rich Williams advised on how people can use their electrical appliances safely: "Please make sure that all electrical appliances have a British or European safety mark when you buy them.

"Don't overload your sockets - keep one appliance to one plug where possible and use the socket overload calculator to reduce the risk of an accidental fire in your home. If you’re using a high powered appliance like a washing machine, make sure they have a single plug socket and they aren't plugged into an extension lead.

"If you’re not using electrics, especially during the night, it's always safest to unplug them."

For further reassurance, you can also register your appliance online and receive safety updates from manufactures if your electrics may be faulty. The website provides access to the registration pages of over 40 leading brands of domestic appliances, including most of the UK's top-selling brands of major white goods.

To register your appliance, visit https://www.registermyappliance.org.uk/

Other electrical items should be registered with the manufacturer when you purchase them. They can be checked for recalls and registered by visiting: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls/

Meanwhile firefighters have also issued advice after a separate unrelated fire in Tamworth which also broke out last night.

It happened in Rainscar, Stonydelph after 11pm.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are warning residents about the dangers of log burners following a recent incident in Tamworth.

"Crews from Tamworth and Tamworth Mercia attended a home on Rainscar just before 11.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 7 June) following reports of a fire involving a log burner.

"One hose reel jet was used to extinguish the fire, which was later deemed accidental as a result of a radiated heat from a log burner. Thankfully, no one was injured."

Station manager Duncan Cole said: "If you’re burning wood, make sure that it is completely dried. Don't burn unseasoned, wet, soft or tanalised wood as they leave greater tar deposits which increases the chances of your chimney becoming blocked.

"Please make sure combustibles are stored safely including seasoned logs and avoid storing these next to burners and open fires. It's easy for them to heat up and potentially catch fire if the flame comes into contact with them.

"Firefighters across Staffordshire attend numerous chimney fires every year. By having regular inspections and cleaning, these fires can be prevented.

"We strongly recommend that the chimney is cleaned regularly and in line with the below guidelines.

"It's always best to check the manufacturer's recommendations on the correct size of each appliance for each room too. This can impact air flow and fuel loading depending on the size of the room, which might bring extra fire safety risk if you’re burner is too big.

"Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire and leave matches and lighters out of reach of children."