A serious message

I write in response to an item in A Fenlander s Diary in which the fire service is mocked for running a campaign to urge parents not to leave matches and lighters lying around. The campaign was launched following the inquest into the deaths of two boys ag

I write in response to an item in A Fenlander's Diary in which the fire service is mocked for running a campaign to urge parents not to leave matches and lighters lying around.

The campaign was launched following the inquest into the deaths of two boys aged 18 months and six months who died following a fire in their home. The inquest heard how the fire was started accidentally by a three-year-old boy playing with a lighter he had found.

The campaign revealed that in Cambridgeshire there have been over 70 house fires over the last three years which were started by children under the age of 10 playing with lighters, matches or some other naked flame.

I was disappointed to see the piece, which only appeared to mock our attempts to prevent another tragedy. I was surprised to see a community newspaper take this tone.

Tom Carroll

Chief Fire Officer

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service