THE importance of smoke alarms is being highlighted by the fire service after a blaze destroyed the kitchen of a property in Launceston at the start of this month.

Crews were called to Race Hill on May 1, as reported in last week’s Post.

Nineteen-year-old Jordan Ellacott was home on her own when the smoke alarms sounded, and she alerted emergency services. Firefighters were on the scene quickly and were able to rescue one of Jordan’s cats, Ash, and administer oxygen to the pet.

It left Jordan and her mother, Georgina, shaken up, with Georgina previously telling the Post: “If Jordan didn’t hear the smoke alarm she wouldn’t be here.”

She also wanted to raise awareness that the fire was thought to be caused by a tumble dryer, which Georgina said was plugged in but not in use at the time.

She is urging property owners to be vigilant about what appliances they have plugged in at home.

An investigation was carried out immediately after the fire. Mike Tremellen of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “We always check every possible eventuality. We believe the most likely cause was the tumble dryer in the corner of the kitchen.

“There would have been power to the tumble dryer so in effect it was in standby mode. It’s not uncommon. We would always encourage people if they can to switch them off when not in use. Even when on standby mode there’s a residual risk.

“The big message really from us, why no one got hurt — they had working smoke alarms in that property, and the fire alarm alerted the person still in the building. Had a fire alarm not been fitted or functioning there would have been the potential for a much worse outcome.”

According to the service’s statistics, over the past five years, 11 people have died and 13 people have been seriously injured in accidental dwelling fires in Cornwall.

The service said it is committed to reducing fire deaths by ensuring that every home in the county has a working smoke alarm.

To make sure this happens, it carries out free home safety checks and if necessary fits free smoke alarms.

A free home fire safety check can be requested via www.cornwall.gov.uk/homefiresafetycheck

For 24 hour fire safety advice call: 0800 3581999.