Poole family flee fire caused by smoker

Firefighters in Dorset have warned of the dangers of carelessly discarded cigarettes after a family of six fled a house fire - just days after a similar incident caused the death of a man.

Fire crews were called to a terrace house on Beckhampton Road, Poole at 2225 BST on Tuesday.

The family had been alerted by a smoke alarm and left the building.

A man died in a fire after apparently falling asleep while smoking in a flat in Bournemouth on Saturday.

Fire and Rescue officials in the county stressed cigarettes should be extinguished and placed into a suitable container.

Fire investigation officer, Mike Cox said: "As we unfortunately saw earlier in the week, this could have been a much more serious incident.

Damage was restricted to the first floor with firefighters able to save the roof and remainder of the property.