Firefighters in Basildon were today celebrating after being the only region in Essex to notch up a year free of fire-related deaths.

It is the first time in more than a decade that the area - the busiest for fires in the county - has achieved the distinction.

And today, Barry Cable, community commander for Basildon and Castle Point, said it was a remarkable achievement for the town which is traditionally notorious for fires - responsible for one in every five in Essex.

Pleased - Barry Cable says fire alarms have helped cut deaths Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

In 2002, firefighters from Basildon attended more than 6,400 fires with more than 180 in houses and flats.

Mr Cable commended both his firefighters and fire safety officer Jack Imrie for working to prevent, as well as fight, fires.

He said a fire service restructure in January last year, which split Essex firefighters into seven separate regions, helped them install fire alarms to the underprivileged and help remove fire hazards in the area.

"Before the restructure, it was like trying to eat your dinner with knives and forks six feet long," he said.

"Now we're closer to the community and our ethos is about being proactive in preventing fires rather than just reacting to them and we can respond to local demands."

Mr Cable said the public could contact the fire station 24 hours a day for advice on fire safety.

Last year, more than 30 smoke detectors were installed in underprivileged homes, which Mr Cable said had contributed to improving fire safety in the area.

Published Wednesday, January 8, 2003

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