A PEST control "smoke bomb" triggered a fire alarm at a flat in Tidworth which led to firefighters being called.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is now warning people that using pest control "smoke bombs" can inadvertently trigger fire alarm systems.

A fire crew Ludgershall were called to Arnott Close after reports of smoke alarms going off on September 12.

Firefighters found the property unoccupied but a number of pest control devices had been activated.

Group manager Katie Cornhill said: “While it must have made perfect sense to set the devices and then leave home for the day, because of the fumes they generate, the smoke was enough to set off the smoke alarms.

"Smoke bombs are best used by pest control experts, as they know how to mitigate the risks, and certainly professional advice should be sought before using such devices in the home.”

She praised the neighbour for calling 999, adding: “The neighbour did exactly the right thing, they heard the alarm and called the fire service. However, had they known that smoke bombs were in use within the property, that information could have been shared with us at the time of call.”