WILTSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people about the dangers of smoking in the home, after the death of an elderly man in a fire on Easter Sunday.

93 year old Bill Stenning died after the pipe he was smoking caused a fire in his home on Coltsfoot Close, Amesbury.

It is statistically proven that smoking is one of the highest fire risks - in fact, fires started by smoking materials account for one third of all accidental fire deaths.

Station Manager Damien Bence, from the prevention department, said: “The best way of protecting yourself and others in your home from this risk is to give up smoking altogether. Failing that, we would urge people to only ever smoke outside.

“While we don’t want to dwell on the specifics of this tragic loss of life – exactly what happened is for the Coroner to determine – it has highlighted the need to take extra care when smoking at home."

The Service recommends that cigarettes, cigars and pipes are properly extinguished, using a proper ashtray and taking extra care in smoking when tired.

They also offer free home fire safety checks where householders are given bespoke advice on how best to keep themselves safe from the risk of fire. To see if you qualify for a visit, call 0800 389 7849 or visit wiltsfire.gov.uk