Fire service issues safety warning after laptop fire

Fire officials are warning people not to leave electrical devices running on beds and sofas after a fire in Cumbria at the weekend.

The incident was sparked by a laptop that overheated on a bed in the village of Gosforth on Saturday.

Three people were taken to hospital but escaped injury after the blaze, which damaged the commercial building on Wasdale Road.

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service say the heat generated by laptops are a fire hazard, unless managed carefully.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service say people can reduce their risk of fire by:

• Putting laptops on a hard, flat surface like a table — but never on a bed, carpets or cushions.

• Never leaving items charging on soft materials.

• Keeping portable computer air vents unblocked and removing dust or debris caught in them.

• Avoiding damaged laptop power cords, phone chargers or extension cords.

• Turning off devices when not in use and avoid leaving them unattended when switched on.

• Checking smoke detectors at every level to ensure they work properly.