A FIRE chief has urged people to take safety in their homes seriously in the wake of the Hapton house fire tragedy in which three sisters died.

Burnley Fire Station commander Dave Jackson called on householders to contact their local fire station and request a free home fire safety check.

He said: "All you have to do is ring and make an appointment and someone will come round and carry out an assessment of the risk of fire in your home.

"They will give general advice on ways to protect your home and family in the event of a fire and, if necessary, they will fit up to two smoke alarms free of charge."

Investigations are continuing into the blaze in which the Waddington sisters, Louise, 11, Hayley, 10, and Gemma, seven, died at their home in Lancaster Drive, but it is believed the fire was started by a faulty tumble drier which had been left on when the girls and their mother went to bed.

Fire crews discovered two smoke alarms in the house but believe they had not worked when the fire started.

Assistant Divisional Officer Jackson said homes should ideally have one smoke alarm on each floor and these alarms should be regularly checked and maintained.

He said: "Smoke detectors will give the vital early warning that can allow the occupants to make their escape before conditions reach intolerable levels and will allow the fire service to be called as soon as possible, which will result in a quicker attendance at a fire and consequently less damage and disruption to the property and occupier.

"But it is then the responsibility of the occupier to check and maintain their smoke alarms. If you neglect them, or remove the batteries, then you have always got the potential for a tragedy to occur, although I am not saying that is what has happened in this case."

The alarms should be tested once a week.

Mr Jackson also said it was important not to over-load electrical sockets and to close all the doors in the property before you go to bed.

He also advised people to make an escape plan and practice it so that everyone in the house knows exactly what to do if there is a fire and how to escape safely.

Mr Jackson said: "Lancashire fire and Rescue Service is committed to making Lancashire a safer community. We are aiming to increase smoke alarm ownership throughout the county and advise occupiers of the dangers of fire and how to prevent them."