East Lancashire fire victims back safety campaign to save lives

Pensioner Audrey Almond was left petrified after a frying pan of oil caught fire as she reached to grab ingredients to make her evening meal.

The 81-year-old of Beechwood Cottages, Blackburn, said: “I just turned around for a few seconds and when I turned back around there were flames of at least two feet in the air.

“I was frozen to the spot.

“My husband rushed in from the other room to put out the fire after hearing me scream.

“People really need to make sure their fire alarms work.

“The fire service came out and did mine after the fire and it has given me real peace of mind.”

Mrs Almond has been joined in her plea by the ex-wife of a Rossendale dad-of-three, who died in a house fire in Market Street, Shawforth, in May 2009.

Lee Catherall, 33, died from smoke inhalation after leaving a pan on the cooker after possibly falling asleep in another room.

His ex-wife, Clare Webb, 30, a probation officer from Leyland, said: “At Lee’s inquest we were left with a lot of what ifs? What if he had turned the hob off? What if he had shut his kitchen fire door behind him? What if he had left his keys in the door?

“I just want to turn Lee’s death into a positive.

“If others are forced to think about simple safety precautions, we may be able to prevent this happening again.”

When firefighters entered Mr Catherall’s flat they found a smoke detector that had no batteries.

His three children, Kyle, 13, Amber-Lea, 11, and Sophie, eight, have struggled to come to terms with their father’s death.

Miss Webb said: “For me it has not just been Lee’s life affected by this fire.

“Our children have suffered too and they are now petrified of fire.

“I just urge people to protect themselves and their families by regularly check-ing their fire alarms.”

Their pleas come as part of a new Lancashire Fire and Rescue service campaign to increase fire safety in the home.

Free home fire safety checks are available to all by calling 0800 1691125.